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DJAMBEK 

.'I 

THE    GEORGIAN 


A   TALE  OF  MODERN  TURKEY 


FBOM  THE  GERMAN  OF 

A.    G.    VON    SITTTNEB 
By  H.  M.  JEWETT 


"WITH  AN  DITEODUCTION  BY 

MANGASAR  M.  MANGASAEIAN 


NEW   YORK 

D.   APPLETON    AND    COMPANY 

1890 


">"  ^'^■r'" '  -'**^^  ■'?^-r^^?^^ 


COFTBieHT,  1890, 
By  D.  APPLETON  AND  COMPANY. 


INTRODUCTION. 


X^  The  story  of  "Djambek,  the  Georgian,"  as  related  in  the 

following  pages,  furnishes  the  American  and  European  reader 

.  -     with  a  glimpse  of  the  social  and  civil  institutions  of  the 

Orient.    The  author  proves  himself  minutely  and  accurately 

^     informed  of  the  peoples  and  places  he  describes.    To  a  na- 

~  X     tive  of  the  Orient  the  picture  drawn  by  Von  ^uttner  appears 
in  every  detail  exact  and  trustworthy.     Our  thanks  are  due 

(5     to  him  for  presenting  phases  of  Eastern  life  little  known  in 
the  West. 

It  will  in  no  way  detract  from  the  merit  of  the  work, 
however,  to  add  that  the  author  has  not  succeeded  in  con- 
cealing his  nationality.  He  is  a  European,  and  sees  only  as 
a  European.  His  book,  therefore,  is  bound  to  be  appreciated 
by  the  Western  people  more  than  if  it  had  been  written  by  a 
native  of  the  East. 

Georgia  is  one  of  a  group  of  coimtries  which  form  the 
isthmus  that  divides  the  Sea  of  Azov  and  the  Euxine — ^its 
shores  studded  with  Greek  colonies — from  the  Caspian.  It 
is  also  one  of  the  border  lands  of  Asia  and  Europe.  This 
part  of  the  globe  has  always  been  prolific  of  traditions,  fables, 
and  myths.  The  mountains,  "tinged  with  the  rosy  hues  of 
morning,"  which  skirt  its  northern  horizon,  have  been  sup- 
posed to  have  cradled  the  human  race  at  its  birth.  The  firet 
emigrants  spread  their  tents  in  its  rich  and  picturesque  plains. 
Here  was  the  nursery  of  civilization.    The  story  of  Noah  and 


IV 


■•;■  ^»'^^sy;y^^!^^=i^7s^^ 


DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 


his  ark  and  of  Prometheiis  chained  to  the  rock  have  been 
handed  down  to  us  by  the  inhabitants  of  these  regions.  At 
the  foot  of  Mount  Ararat  is  the  lake  where  Ninurod  is  sup- 
posed to  have  met  with  his  death  at  the  hands  of  the  Circas- 
sian dalesman. 

The  geographical  position  of  these  coimtries  has  been  the 
cause  of  all  their  misery  and  misfortune.  Being  the  tramp- 
ing-ground  of  marching  hosts  and  invaders,  they  have  never 
enjoyed  secvu-ity  or  the  opportunities  of  peace.  Odin  and 
his  Asse  marched  through  these  lands  when  in  search  of  the 
shores  of  the  Elbe  and  the  Baltic.  Emerging  from  these 
valleys,  the  barbarian  Scythians  poured  themselves  upon 
western  Asia.  Cyrus  the  Great  and  Alexander  have  left  their 
footprints  upon  the  soil.  Timurlane  and  Genghis  Khan  en- 
acted their  inhuman  r6lea  in  these  parts  of  the  world.  Here 
blazed  the  star  of  Mithridates,  and  here  it  went  out  in  dark- 
ness. The  Ossmanlee  and  Muscovite  met  on  these  plains  to 
express  their  unsurpassable  and  eternal  hatred  of  one  another. 
Such  are  some  of  the  truths  and  traditions  which  the  reading 
of  "  Djambek  "  *  calls  to  mind. 

The  physical  and  natural  aspects  of  G^eorgia,  "the  terres- 
trial paradise,"  are  described  by  a  masterly  hand.  The  pict- 
ure of  the  Pasha  of  Batoum  with  his  gorgeous  train,  sailing 
up  the  river  to  Djambek's  home  through  a  coimtry  of  incom- 
parable beauty,  is  exquisite.  Indeed,  Georgia  is  one  of  the 
most  lovely  spots  in  the  world.  It  is  the  land  of  the  olive, 
the  ilex,  the  pine,  and  the  cedar  ;  the  land  of  rich  farms 
nestled  in  the  bosom  of  luxuriant  plains  ;  of  vineyards  and 
antique  castles  ;  of  cool  springs  and  charming  hills  ;  and  of 
gardens  laden  with  flower  and  fruit.  Georgian  dress  and 
manners  are  described  in  language  at  once  felicitous  and 
faithful.  Truly  there  is  a  charm  about  the  Oriental  costume. 
It  is  calculated  to  enhance  graceful  movements  and  to  add  to 


*  Pronounced  'Jambek,  with  D  silent  and  accent  on  second 
syllable. 


INTRODUCTION. 


the  beauty  and  expression  of  the  features.  The  Eastern  peo- 
ple seem  to  understand  the  rhythm  of  dress.  Let  us  hope 
that  the  day  -will  never  come  when  these  people  will  subeti- 
tude  the  Occidental  for  the  picturesque  costumes  of  the  East. 

The  characters  of  the  principal  Georgians  in  the  book 
lead  us  to  question  Gibbon's  estimate  of  this  ancient  race. 
"A  handsome  but  worthless  people"  is  the  judgment  with 
which  the  illustrious  historian  dismisses  them  from  his  pages. 
"Handsome"  they  are,  especially  their  women — erect,  sym- 
metrical in  form  and  figure,  with  delicately  cut  features  and 
sparkling  black  eyes,  and  a  complexion  like  silk  and  satin.'- 
The  harems  of  Constantinople  have  from  of  old  received  their 
Guzel  Kizlar — ^beautiful  maidens — ^from  Georgia  and  Circas- 
sia.  Even  to-day  the  most  handsome  houris  in  the  imperial 
palace  on  the  Bosporus  have  been  brought  from  these  "gar- 
dens of  God." 

As  to  the  moral  worth  of  this  people,  opinions  have  dif- 
fered since  the  days  of  Gibbon.  The  Armenians  have  forced 
both  Georgians  and  Circassians  out  of  all  mercantile  pur- 
suits, being  themselves  almost  the  only  shopkeepers  and 
traders  of  the  land.  The  Georgian  cultivates  the  soil  or  lives 
on  the  large  estate  which  he  has  inherited.  In  the  absence 
of  these  he  takes  to  begging,  as  the  streets  of  Tiflis,  the 
(Georgian  capital,  will  show  ;  but  another  occupation  within 
his  reach  is  that  of  highway  robbery  in  Turkey.  The  Orient- 
al caravans  dread  more  than  all  to  fall  into  the  hands  of 
Georgian  robbers.  Unlike  other  brigands,  so  numerous  in 
the  lands  of  the  sultan,  the  (Georgian  fires  on  his  victims  &om 
behind  the  tree  or  stone  without  any  warning  or  notice.  He 
m\ist  kill  before  he  robs.  "  The  fierce,  fighting-Kurd  "  among 
the  moimtain  passes  in  Armenia  is  more  merciful  than  these 
mean  and  cowardly  assassins. 

Notwithstanding,  there  are  thousands  of  Georgians  who 
are  industrious  and  honest.  Their  immi^^tion  into  Ottoman 
lands  has  perceptibly  added  to  the  wealth  and  civilization  of 
the  people.     Better  roads  have  been  built,  and  the  means  of 


<.  .:.«■"  '!?T-  ;  -»  ■■■ "-  '?--'Kr  -VTfil^^- 


Vi  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

transportation  are  to-day  far  superior  to  those  of  former 
times.  Surely  the  impetus  given  by  these  Georgians  is  one 
of  the  causes  of  the  improvements  in  the  interior  of  the  Turk- 
ish Empire.  ' 

And  now  one  word  about  the  Osmanlee  Government. 
The  prevailing  opinion  in  Europe  and  this  country  has  been 
that  Turkish  rule  is  synonymous  with  everything  that  is 
monstrous  and  wicked.  Turkey  is  looked  upon  as  the  land 
of  oppression,  intolerance,  and  despotism.  The  Sultan  is 
represented  as  an  Oriental  tyrant,  under  whose  iron  heels  the 
people,  especially  the  Christian  races,  groan  and  perish.  I 
do.  not  propose  to  enter  into  this  discussion  here.  But  there 
is  another  side  to  this  picture,  and  some  day  I  have  no  doubt 
the  whole  truth  will  be  known.  As  our  author  has  very 
clearly  shown,  the  cardinal  vice  of  the  Turkish  Government 
is  venality.  This  has  completely  corrupted  the  officers, 
judges,  and  rulers.  The  ends  of  justice  are  thwarted,  favor- 
itism is  shown,  robbers  are  allojred  to  plunder  and  to  escape 
— all  through  bribery.  Who  can  contradict  this  immoral  and 
degrading  condition  of  affairs  in  Turkey  ?  But  the  subju- 
gated Christian  races,  so  loud  in  their  complaints,  must  ac- 
knowledge their  share  of  the  responsibility.  Instead  of 
encouraging  the  virtues  of  the  Turks,  the  conquered  people, 
thinking  Islam  incapable  of  any  goodness,  have  appealed 
only  to  their  passions,  and  not  unfrequently  cultivated  and 
supported  bad  customs  for  their  own  gain.  The  reformation 
will  come  when  the  Christians  begin  to  set  a  good  example 
to  the  Turks, 

Mohammedanism,  however,  has  produced  some  excellent 
results,  and  is  not  in  itself  the  enemy  of  civilization.  The 
power  of  the  religion  for  good  is  seen  in  the  life  of  every 
honest  Mussulman,  In  the  Islam  quarters  of  any  city  or  vil- 
lage in  Turkey  there  is  less  drunkenness,  gambling,  or  direct 
violation  of  law  than  in  those  inhabited  by  Greeks,  Arme- 
nians, and  Franks. 


INTRODUCTION. 


vu 


The  charming  impartiality  of  the  author  is  seen  in  his 
description  of  the  character  of  the  muezzin  Ahmed.  He  too 
is  a  Mohammedan,  but  how  unlike  the  Pasha  of  Batoum,  the 
caimacam,  or  Murza*Khan  I  We  can  not  condemn  a  religion 
which,  when  sincerely  followed,  will  make  men  honorable, 
honest,  and  peaceable.  The  words  which  the  author  puts 
in  the  mouth  of  Ahmed,  the  conscientious  believer  in  Allah 
and  the  Prophet,  do  not  at  all  surprise  us.  It  sounds  very 
much  like  a  good  Moslem.  The  muezzin  says  :  "I  do  not 
think  it  is  so  hard  for  one  to  do  his  duty.  There  are  many 
temptations  to  every  man  to  do  some  wrong  ;  but  if  he  only 
thinks,  '  Shall  I  break  the  commands  of  Allah  to  enjoy  a  brief 
pleasure  and  forget  that  he  will  severely  punish  all  unfaith- 
fulness ? '  then  it  is  not  hard  to  withstand." 

The  curse  of  the  Orient  is  not  Mohammedanism.  The 
salvation  of  the  people  will  not  come  from  the  Bussians. 
Rebellion  will  not  help  the  conquered  countries.  The  great 
source  of  all  the  wrongs  and  crimes  and  sufferings  is  the 
want  of  moral  ediusation,  which,  unfortunately,  neither  the 
mosque  nor  the  church  as  they  exist  to-day  can  give. 

We  hope  that  the  reading  of  "  Djambek  "  will  make  new 
friends  for  a  country  whose  needs  are  many. 

Manoasab  M.  Makgasabian. 


New  Yoek  Crrr,  March,  1890. 


-t.-Siipr,;*' '■■.-. "    -■      •    •    ••  -  ;■     -^    '  -    ?■    >  ^  •^■-  r^^,^^^,-j!^--  ■^•i«J^^^^»tg^.-t!^J^!^gas 


T      ;    1 


X  i->y  -  ^-"^V  e.^'*^,- 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  PAOB 

L — Thx  Pasha  or  Batoch 6 

n. — Gathering  Clouds     . 15 

ni. — An  Excursion  and  Investioation    .        .        ,        .26 
lY. — Murza-Khan  and  Thahar        .        .        .        .        y-  *2 

V. — Elisba  and  Ali  Bet 54 

VI. — A  Lesson  in  Turkish  Jurisprudence       .        .        .72 

VII.— A  Turkish  Trial 85 

VIII.— Outlawed 98 

IX.— The  Muezzin 110 

X. — A  Crt  for  Help 121 

XI. — An  Oriental  Elopement .134 

Xn. — In  the  Hands  or  the  Eneitt 148 

Xin. — A  Friend  in  Need 157 

XIV. — In  the  Mountains 168 

XV. — A  Plot  and  its  Failure 181 

XVI. — A  Luckless  Embassador 197 

XVIL— For  Friendship's  Sake      ......  209 

XVin.— War  and  Chitalrt 220 

XIX. — ^At  BLuid/eti-Tziche 228 

XX.— War  and  Peace 242 

XXI. — Selau  Aleikum! 263 


•f?'^''-  •"~«??'?J^S''«^^ 


Ji. 


DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 


CHAPTER  L 


THE  PASHA  OP  BATOUM. 

The  chain  of  the  lesser  Caucasus  Mountains  forms 
a  natural  line  of  demarkation  between  the  province  of 
Batoum  and  the  Turkish  provinces  of  Asia  Minor,  as 
well  as  of  Armenia  and  Georgia.  The  original  in- 
habitants of  this  section,  stretching  from  the  mount- 
ains to  the  Black  Sea,  were  originally,  as  far  as  his- 
torical evidence  goes,  of  the  pure  Georgian  race,  and, 
though  Islam  has  for  five  centuries  sought  with  every 
means  in  its  power  to  crush  out  the  national  feeling, 
there  still  remains  on  every  foot  of  the  land  the  evi- 
dences of  the  old  Georgian  nationality.  Long  before 
the  Christian  era  the  valleys  of  the  chief  river,  the 
Tchoroch,  its  tributaries,  and  all  the  country  around, 
received  the  names  which  they  bear  to-day,  and  which 
are  almost  all  of  Georgian  origin.  Throughout  this 
region  one  finds  at  every  step  ruins  of  churches,  and 
fortresses  bearing  inscriptions  which,  though  now  un- 
fortunately hardly  decipherable,  are  unquestionably  in 
the  old  Georgian  or  Cartalinean  language ;  and  the 
name  of  the  mighty  queen,  Thamar,  is  as  well  known 
here  as  it  is  beyond  the  mountains,  where  this  Semira- 
mis  of  Caucasus  once  held  her  royal  court. 


■  ^»^^5™5^-»^s;'^ '^    "  ■*        ^'^      ^  •cr^'^'%p^''^^"'^^^sr^^^7s;^''**^ 


6  DJAMBEE,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

At  length,  at  the  beginning  of  the  seventeenth 
century,  the  followers  of  Islam  became  complete  vic- 
tors, after  having  instituted  a  most  cruel  persecution 
against  everything  called  Christian,  and  after  leveling 
to  the  dust  every  monument  which  recalled  the  once 
flourishing  period  of  the  land's  history.  For  the  most 
part  the  people  resigned  themselves  to  their  fate. 
With  unwonted  energy  the  Mohammedan  rulers  had 
organized  a  government  which  held  as  in  iron  bands 
the  whole  country  of  Klarjetia  and  Adjaria.  Batoum 
became  the  residence  of  the  pasha,  under  whose  rule 
were  eleven  hazas  or  districts,  presided  over  by  caim- 
acams  and  mudirs.  The  Medjilis^  or  State-council 
had  its  seat  in  Batoum  as  well  as  the  tribunals  and 
the  customs-officers.  A  battalion  of  troops  was  also 
stationed  there. 

After  the  districts  along  the  coast  of  the  Black  Sea 
had  accommodated  themselves  to  their  new  position, 
and  even  in  large  part  had  accepted  Islamism  as  their 
religion,  the  Klarjetians  and  the  people  living  along 
the  river  Tchoroch  followed  their  example.  Even 
some  of  the  Adjarians  submitted  to  the  new  rule,  in  so 
far  at  least  as  outwardly  recognizing  the  Turkish  sov- 
ereignty. But  in  their  own  hearts,  the  Adjarians  for 
the  most  part  clung  to  the  old  faith,  and  remained 
true  to  the  old  race  to  which  their  ancestors  had 
proudly  belonged. 

Still  there  were  oft-recurring  signs  of  unrest  in 
some  of  the  provinces.  Many  of  those  who  had  been 
called  to  office  found  it  advantageous  to  look  less  to 
the  interests  of  the  state  than  to  their  personal  profit. 
Each  caimacam  felt  himself  to  be  a  little  king  within 
his  own  district,  responsible  only  to  his  immediate  su- 


THE  PASHA  OF  BATOUM.  f 

perior,  the  Pasha  of  Batoum.  Many  of  them  found 
it  more  comfortable  to  let  matters  in  their  districts  go 
as  they  would  rather  than  take  the  trouble  to  see  that 
they  went  right,  while  many,  too,  after  a  few  months 
of  attempts  at  good  government,  decided  it  more  to 
their  advantage  to  make  common  cause  with  the  cor- 
rupt minor  officials  under  them  and  divide  with  them 
the  spoils  wrung  from  the  people  in  the  way  of  bribes 
and  unjust  taxes.  As  to  making  complaints,  where 
could  the  good  people  present  their  complaints  ?  The 
pasha  was  absolute  master,  for  Stamboul  was  so  far 
distant  that  any  cry  of  injustice  would  die  away  before 
it  reached  there. 

Toward  the  end  of  the  sixth  decade  of  the  present 
century,  as  a  result  of  the  ever  increasing  corruption 
and  misgovemment,  an  insurrection  arose  among  the 
Adjarians,  but  it  was  speedily  crushed  out.  Soon 
after  that,  the  ruler  in  Batoum  died  suddenly,  and 
hope  arose  that  with  his  successor  there  might  come 
a  change  for  the  better  in  the  government  of  the  un- 
happy country.  And,  indeed,  as  far  as  promises  went, 
Cherif-Pasha  left  nothing  to  be  desired,  though  he 
always  gave  these  promises  with  a  mental  reservation 
that  he  would  carry  them  out  only  so  far  as  doing  so 
did  not  interfere  with  his  personal  comfort  and  ease. 
"  By  Allah ! "  he  used  to  say  to  himself,  "  a  man  who 
for  forty  years  has  had  but  few  hours  of  ease,  who  has 
been  constantly  on  the  journey  on  government  busi- 
ness, to-day  in  Roumelia,  to-morrow  in  Egypt,  next 
year  in  Asia  Minor,  has  won  the  right  at  last  to  rest  '* ; 
and  it  was  for  this  reason  as  much  as  for  any  that  he 
gladly  accepted  the  post  in  Batoum. 

He  took  but  a  small  following  with  him,  for  the 


t 

i 
8  DJAMBKK,  THE  GBOEGUN. 

fewer  there  were  the  less  was  his  domestic  quiet  liable 
to  be  disturbed.  Thamar,  his  grand-niece,  who  had 
been  educated  at  first  in  Stamboul,  and  later  in  a 
French  institution  in  Trebizond;  Daria,  her  friend 
and  companion,  and  finally  Eassudan,  a  distant  relative 
of  uncertain  age,  formed  the  female  portion  of  his 
household,  while  his  male  attendants  consisted  of 
Osman,  an  old  servant,  and  his  assistant  Panyoti,  a 
Greek.  The  numerous  hangers-on  which  are  neces- 
sary to  the  oriental  ideas  of  greatness  could  be  got 
later  in  Batoum. 

Cherif-Pasha  was  a  man  of  some  sixty  years  of  age, 
of  middle  stature,  and  of  so  heavy  build  that  he  had 
some  difficulty  in  moving  about.  A  short,  gray,  full 
beard  covered  the  greater  part  of  his  face,  to  which  the 
heavy,  sleepy  eyelids  gave  an  expression  of  extreme 
apathy.  But  even  this  quiet,  stolid  mien  found  favor 
with  the  people,  and  the  amiable  expression  with  which 
he  listened  to  their  complaints,  nodding  his  head  now 
and  then  as  if  in  sympathy,  gave  them  the  assurance 
that  this  new  governor  was  a  man  who  would  let  peo- 
ple talk  to  him,  and  under  whose  rule  affairs  might 
perhaps  improve. 

When  Cherif-Pasha  arrived  in  Batoum,  his  first 
care  was  that  his  house  might  be  arranged  with  all 
possible  comfort.  He  found  to  his  agreeable  surprise 
that  the  most  difficult  work  had  already  been  done 
without  any  care  on  his  part,  and  done  so  well  that 
the  artist  who  had  so  cleverly  brought  it  about  was  at 
once  taken  into  his  good  graces. 

Totia  Mtscheladze,  as  the  man  was  called  who  had 
undertaken  on  his  own  responsibility  to  so  comfortably 
arrange  these  matters  for  the  pasha,  was  a  Mingrelian, 


i 


THE  PASHA  OF  BATOUM.  9 

who  had  played  a  yery  inferior  role  in  the  household 
of  the  former  governor,  and  after  the  latter's  death 
had  remained  in  the  house,  ostensibly  to  look  after  it, 
but  really  because  of  want  of  money  necessary  to  pro- 
cure other  means  of  living.  As  fioon  as  he  heard  of 
Cherif  Pasha's  appointment,  like  the  clever  f  eUow  that 
he  was,  he  made  a  tour  among  the  shops  of  the  city  and 
boldly  gave  orders  in  the  name  and  on  behalf  of  the 
pasha,  for  all  the  necessary  preparations  in  making  ready 
the  house  for  his  arrival.  He  selected  carpets,  rugs, 
draperies,  furniture,  utensils,  in  short  all  that  was  neces- 
sary for  newly  furnishing  the  residence,  and  gave  his 
orders  with  so  confident  an  air  that  no  one  ventured  to 
decline  furnishing  whatever  he  called  for.  He  procured 
laborers  too  who  carried  out  all  his  directions,  so  that 
Cherif-Pasha  entered  a  house  fully  prepared  for  him. 

A  satisfied  nod  and  repeated  expressions  of  "  Good ! " 
"  Excellent  I "  showed  Totia  that  his  speculation  had 
been  a  successful  one,  and  his  satisfaction  was  increased 
when  the  pasha  speedily  called  for  the  list  of  expendi- 
tures in  order  that  he  might  make  a  draft  on  the  Treas- 
ury in  payment. 

The  merchants  and  laborers  were  paid  without  any 
questioning,  and  Totia  had  suddenly  become  a  distin- 
guished character.  With  this  fortunate  stroke  he  was 
able  to  silence  all  the  disagreeable  talk  that  had  been 
floating  about  concerning  him.  For,  indeed,  it  had 
been  whispered  that  while  in  the  Bussian  service  he 
had  allowed  his  accounts  to  become  so  confused  that 
the  only  choice  left  him  was  to  either  turn  his  back 
upon  his  home  or  spend  some  years  in  the  seclusion  of 
a  prison.  But  now  all  were  ready  to  believe  what  he 
himself  said,  namely,  that  while  a  Russian  officer  he 


-■""■'-■■■■      /''  l- 
10  DJAMBKK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

had  struck  one  of  his  superiors  who  had  ill-used  him, 
and  in  order  to  escape  the  sentence  of  the  court-mar- 
tial had  been  obliged  to  flee. 

Toward  the  pasha,  Totia  showed  himself  as  one 
whose  only  object  in  life  was  to  make  his  chief's  exist- 
ence as  agreeable  and  comfortable  as  possible;  and 
this  suited  the  other  so  well  that  the  Mingrelian  in  a 
short  time  had  become  indispensable  and  the  factotum 
of  the  house.  While  the  pasha  reclined  in  comfort  on 
his  cushions,  with  the  amber  mouthpiece  of  his  nargile 
always  at  his  lips,  the  ladies  of  the  household  busied 
themselves  with  arranging  their  new  home.  Thamar, 
a  girl  of  twenty,  with  black  eyes  and  tall,  slender 
figure,  had  European  blood  in  her  veins.  Her  mother 
was  French.  The  girl  inherited  from  her  the  light, 
delicate  complexion,  the  small  hands  and  feet,  and  a 
talent  for  dressing  herself  becomingly  with  limited  ma- 
terials, and  for  an-anging  the  rooms  of  the  house  in  a 
way  that  was  at  once  elegant  and  home-like.  The  inter- 
coui-se  between  her  and  Daria  was  that  of  two  sisters, 
while  toward  Russudan  she  showed  more  of  a  formal 
etiquette.  The  elderly  lady  belonged  to  the  fanatical 
party.  She  looked  with  hatred  and  contempt  upon 
anything  new  or  foreign  to  Turkish  customs,  and 
reckoned  it  impious  for  a  woman  to  be  seen  with  her 
face  uncovered.  Many  were  the  lectures  the  young 
girls  were  obliged  to  listen  to  from  her  when  they  re- 
turned from  the  French  school  dressed  in  European 
fashion.  Had  it  been  in  Stamboul,  Cherif- Pasha  must 
have  admitted  that  she  was  in  the  right ;  but  here,  in 
this  out-of -the- world  place,  he  paid  little  attention  to 
her  complaints  and  implied  that  it  was  as  well  to  keep 
one  eye  shut  in  regard  to  such  matters.    When  she 


THE  PASHA  OP  BATOUM.  H 

threatened  him  with  the  anger  of  the  prophet,  he  would 
raise  his  heavy  eyelids  and  pointing  in  the  direction 
where  Constantinople  lay  in  the  far  distance  would 
say: 

"  My  good  Eussudan,  the  prophet  has  so  much  to 
look  after  over  there  that  he  will  have  but  little  time 
to  turn  his  attention  to  us  poor  worms.  Let  us  rather 
let  the  matter  rest  and  not  disturb  the  quiet  peace  of 
our  household." 

The  citadel  where  the  pasha  lived  was  upon  a 
height  which  formed  a  part  of  a  promontory  extend- 
ing into  the  sea.  Here  the  air  was  fresh  and  mild, 
and  the  view  over  the  city  and  surrounding  plain  and 
the  sea  beyond  was  a  beautiful  one.  The  vegetation 
was  almost  tropical  in  its  luxuriance.  The  groves 
were  filled  with  plants  which  in  Europe  are  cultivated 
with  care  in  greenhouses  but  here  grow  like  weeds. 
Rhododendrons  of  most  gorgeous  coloring,  soft  green 
mixed  with  flame -like  blossoms,  olive  trees  and  fig 
trees,  all  shades  of  green  and  all  colors  of  flowers, 
thick  grape-vines  and  climbing  roses,* all  blended  in 
one  of  Nature's  fairest  pictures. 

The  two  friends  spent  hours  together  in  the  gar- 
dens that  surrounded  the  buildings.  They  usually 
brought  their  books  with  them — those  wicked  and 
dangerous  types  of  the  unbelieving  West,  as  Eussudan 
called  them;  but  their  reading  did  not  usually  con- 
tinue long,  for  the  beauty  of  the  scene  around  them 
was  apt  to  draw  their  attention  away. 

Though    Cherif  -  Pasha   sought   to   avoid    being 

troubled  with  affairs  of  business,  still  he  was  not  one 

who  loved  retirement  and  solitude.    On  the  contrary, 

he  liked  to  have  people  about  him  and  to  join  in  con- 

2 


12  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

yersation,  so  long  as  it  was  not  of  a  character  to  tax  the 
brain  too  much.  His  house  was  always  open  to  those 
who  might  like  to  come  to  drink  a  cup  of  coJBEee,  smoke 
a  cigarette  or  chibouk,  and  talk  over  the  latest  events 
in  the  city.  There  were  even  regular  evenings  when 
his  acquaintances  assembled  there  in  large  numbers 
to  spend  an  hour  or  two  in  social  conversation,  quite 
in  European  fashion.  Those  who  wished  could  even 
play  cards,  and  the  evening  always  closed  with  a  sup- 
per, in  which  the  food  and  drinks  were  not  always 
regulated  according  to  the  command  of  the  prophet. 

The  liberal  minded  governor,  indeed,  looked  on 
Batoum  as  being  not  a  part  of  his  own  country  so  much 
as  an  advanced  post  which  lay  in  neutral  ground.  In 
fact,  commerce  with  other  nations  began  to  assume 
considerable  proportions,  so  that  several  of  the  great 
powers  found  it  advisable  to  send  their  consuls  to 
Batoum,  and  these  officials,  with  their  families,  gladly 
took  advantage  of  the  opportunity  to  make  the  mo- 
notony of  life  there  a  little  less  irksome  by  the  social 
evenings  at  the  pasha's.  Both  the  Russian  and  Eng- 
lish consuls  had  wife  and  daughters;  and  in  their 
honor  the  pasha  could  not  do  less  than  have  his  niece 
and  her  friend  take  part  in  these  official  gatherings, 
though  Russudan  used  every  means  in  her  power  to 
prevent  so  gross  a  breach  of  Moslem  customs.  The 
other  officials  of  the  city  were  for  the  most  part  men 
grown  old  in  the  service,  who  had  little  taste  for  "West- 
em  novelties,  and  therefore  seldom  took  advantage  of 
their  chief's  hospitality ;  while,  on  the  other  hand,  the 
younger  generation  found  these  evenings  very  pleas- 
ant, and  contributed  all  they  could  toward  banishing 
all  remembrance  of  old  Turkish  fanaticism. 


THE  PASHA  6t  BAtOUM.  13 

The  soul  of  the  whole  was,  next  to  Totia,  the  chief 
of  the  battalion,  Hassan  Bey,  a  man  in  the  prime  of 
life,  who  was  for  a  long  time  attached  to  the  embassy 
in  Italy,  and  had  there  tasted  too  often  of  the  forbid- 
den fruit  to  willingly  withdraw  again  into  the  narrow 
ways  of  his  fellow-believers.  So  that,  altogether,  the 
evenings  passed  right  merrily,  and  Russudan  had  rea- 
son enough  to  shake  her  head  gloomily  and  prophesy 
the  swift  vengeance  of  heaven. 

Little  by  little  the  circle  increased,  and  several  of 
the  more  prominent  natives  of  the  city  were  drawn 
into  it.  Among  these  was  a  young  man,  whose  uncle, 
Artschil  Tagniridza,  was  a  member  of  the  tribunal  and 
a  man  of  considerable  prominence. 

Djambek  Tagniridza,  the  nephew,  had  lost  both 
parents  in  his  early  youth.  He  busied  himself  with 
the  management  of  the  extensive  estates  which  he 
owned  in  the  elevated  plain  of  Adjaria.  He  was  body 
and  soul  an  Adjarian,  and  so,  in  a  wider  sense,  a 
Georgian,  and  at  first  held  aloof  from  the  pasha's  cote- 
rie, whom  he  regarded  as  the  instruments  of  unjust 
oppression,  and  toward  whom  he  nursed  a  silent  hatred. 
But  as  the  impression  gradually  extended  that  Cherif- 
Pasha  was  a  man  who  loved  justice  and  his  fellow 
men,  he  allowed  himself  to  be  persuaded  one  evening 
to  visit  the  citadel  in  company  with  his  uncle.  To  his 
pleasant  surprise  he  found  little  trace  there  of  the 
strict  Turkish  element  which  elsewhere  made  itself  so 
sternly  felt,  and  he  enjoyed  himself  so  much  in  this 
mixed  company  of  foreigners  and  liberal-minded 
Turks,  that  henceforth  he  became  a  regular  visitor. 
Having  received  a  good  education,  partly  in  Tifles 
and  partly  in  Odessa,  he  could  speak  Russian  and  even 


"■•,T?j -'«?' 


14  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

in  case  of  necessity  take  part  in  a  French  conversa- 
tion, when  Thamar  introduced  it,  with  the  wives  and 
daughters  of  the  European  guests. 

Djambek  gave  no  more  of  his  attentions  to  the 
pasha's  niece  than  to  the  other  young  ladies,  he  even 
held  somewhat  aloof  from  her  when  he  saw  that  Has- 
san Bey  was  anxious  to  gain  her  good  favor,  and  was 
encouraged  in  doing  so  by  Cherif- Pasha. 

Totia — who  since  he  had  become  the  pasha's  facto- 
tum considered  that  he  must  make  himself  as  promi- 
nent as  possible — paid  most  devoted  attentions  to 
Thamar's  friend.  He  received,  however,  no  encourage- 
ment. On  the  contrary,  she  gave  him  every  opportu- 
nity of  seeing  that  his  society  was  distasteful  to  her. 
But  this  only  made  him  the  more  assiduous  and  the 
more  importunate  in  his  attempts  to  gain  her  favor. 

Cherif-Pasha  showed  himself  on  many  occasions 
well  disposed  toward  Djambek.  This  encouraged  the 
young  man  to  refer  now  and  then  to  the  many  cases 
of  misgovernment  and  abuse  of  power  which  were 
taking  place  in  the  province.  Especially  was  it  the 
caimacam  of  Adjaria,  whose  conduct  of  affairs  left 
much  to  be  desired,  and  whom  Djambek  often  com- 
plained of  to  the  pasha.  But  this  sort  of  conversation 
was  not  at  all  to  the  pasha's  liking.  He  would  indeed 
shake  his  head  and  admit  that  things  were  not  all  as 
they  should  be,  but  he  would  soon  manage  to  change 
the  subject  after  assuring  his  caller  that  these  matters 
should  be  looked  into. 


CHAPTER  11. 

GATHERIl^G    CLOUDS. 

Two  years  had  passed  since  the  arrival  of  Cherif- 
Pasha  in  Batoum.  The  people  had  come  to  under- 
stand their  governor,  and  saw  that  as  little  was  being 
done  for  the  good  of  the  country  and  the  interests  of 
the  people  as  in  former  times.  No  one  was  sanguine 
enough  now  to  hope  for  any  improvement.  In  many 
places  complaints  became  loud. 

Among  the  most  dissatisfied  was  Djambek,  who 
had  learned  very  quickly  that  the  pasha  promised 
readily  but  never  carried  out  his  promises.  The  only 
result  of  his  intervention  had  been  to  make  the  caima- 
cam  of  Adjaria  his  bitter  enemy.  The  pasha  had 
treated  this  official  in  a  friendly  way,  and  had  advised 
him  to  be  on  good  terms  with  the  young  man,  as  he 
had  made  complaints  against  him.  This  confidential 
information  had  aroused  the  anger  of  Ali  Bey  and  he 
sought  revenge  by  spreading  suspicions  that  Djambek 
was  a  political  agitator  and  a  friend  of  Bussia.  Some 
small  occurrences  happened  in  the  province  just  at  the 
time,  which  enabled  Ali  Bey  to  make  charges  against 
his  enemy  though  Djambek  had  in  reality  had  nothing 
whatever  to  do  with  the  matters  in  question.  The  re- 
sult was  that  the  pasha  began  to  show  himself  less 


.■'■:'- ■'i^^^^:^- 


16  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

friendly  toward  him,  and  as  he  hated  telling  people 
directly  what  he  meant,  he  intimated  to  the  young 
man's  nncle  that  it  would  he  well  for  him  to  talk  to 
his  nephew  and  hring  him  to  his  senses.  Artschil 
hastened  to  carry  out  his  superior's  instructions,  and 
warned  the  young  man  from  mixing  in  political  mat- 
ters. 

"Ali  Bey  has  never  injured  you  personally,  and 
why  should  you  risk  your  head  for  other  people,"  said 
he.  "  It  is  a  thankless  husiness  which  can  only  harm 
you,  while  others  will  use  it  for  their  own  advantage." 

Djambek  was  greatly  astonished  at  the  lengthy  lect- 
ure his  uncle  favored  him  with  on  this  subject.  He 
admitted  that  he  had  often  made  complaints  against 
the  caimacam,  but  denied  being  the  leader  of  the  dis- 
contented faction. 

"  In  that  they  have  simply  lied  to  you,"  he  said 
quietly.  "  It  was  I  that  sought  to  keep  the  people 
quiet,  and  advised  them  not  to  incur  the  disastrous  re- 
sults of  a  forcible  opposition.  Furthermore,  I  shall 
speak  to  Cherif-Pasha  myself,  for  if  it  ever  comes  so 
far  that  I  am  obliged  to  disturb  the  peace  of  the  land, 
as  I  hope  will  never  be  necessary,  I  shall  not  do  it 
behind  his  back  while  showing  a  false  friendship  to 
his  face." 

He  carried  out  this  intention  at  once.  He  went  to 
the  pasha  and  gave  him  a  clear  account  of  the  matters 
in  question.  At  the  same  time  he  did  not  hesitate  to 
repeat  his  charges  concerning  the  misgovernment  and 
official  oppression  practiced  by  Ali  Bey  in  the  district 
under  his  charge,  and  as  Cherif-Pasha,  who  was  in  ex- 
ceptional good  humor  that  day,  voluntarily  proposed 
visiting  the  district  to  see  for  himself  how  matters 


GATHEEING  CLOUDa  17 

stood,  Djambek  took  advantage  of  the  opportunity 
to  get  him  to  fix  a  day  for  the  visit,  in  order,  as  he 
said,  that  he  might  arrange  the  necessary  prepara- 
tions that  the  Pasha  might  make  the  journey  as  com- 
fortably as  possible.  The  next  week  having  been  fixed 
on,  Djambek  betook  himself  home  in  order  to  make 
his  arrangements  at  once.  The  pasha,  on  his  part, 
hastened  to  let  the  caimacam  know  of  the  projected 
visit,  in  order  that  he  too  might  be  prepared,  and  not 
leave  a  place  exposed  which  might  bring  his  superior 
into  the  disagreeable  position  of  being  obliged  to  give 
a  reprimand.  So  the  whole  matter  resolved  itself 
rather  into  a  pleasure  excursion  which  the  Pasha 
sought  to  make  more  agreeable  by  inviting  some  of  his 
Batoum  friends  to  accompany  him. 

In  the  meantime  great  preparations  went  on  in  the 
haza  for  the  distinguished  visit.  The  caimacam  used 
his  utmost  efforts  to  arrange  matters  in  a  favorable 
light,  and  as  he  possessed  a  considerable  following 
among  those  of  the  population  who  had  lost  their  re- 
membrance of  the  ancient  regime,  he  felt  confident 
that  he  would  be  well  prepared  for  any  investigation 
that  the  easy  going  pasha  might  m^e.  Djambek,  on 
his  part,  made  extensive  preparations  to  receive  the 
governor  in  a  worthy  fashion,  and  to  repay  the  many 
hospitalities  he  had  received  at  his  house  by  making 
the  visit  as  brilliant  a  one  as  possible. 

The  situation  of  the  young  man's  house  was  in  a 
beautiful  valley,  which  enjoyed  a  wide  reputation  for 
its  excellent  fruit.  The  family  mansion  was  upon  a 
gentle  rise  of  ground  above  the  village  of  Scalta.  The 
pasha  would  make  his  headquarters  here  with  his  fol- 
lowing, and  proceeded  the  next  day  on  the  official  in- 


18  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN 

spection  through  the  Icaza^  while  the  master  of  the 
house  would  entertain  the  other  guests  who  remained 
behind.  A  large  part  of  the  trip  through  the  leaza 
would  have  to  be  up  the  river  in  boats  and  would  re- 
quire at  least  two  days.  While  Djambek  busied  him- 
self with  seeing  that  his  house  was  fitly  prepared  for 
the  distinguished  guests,  his  friends  and  neighbors  at- 
tended to  the  preparations  for  the  river  excursion. 
They  found  that  three  boats  or  caiques  would  be  neces- 
sary. The  newest  and  largest  were  chosen  and  fitted 
up  as  comfortable  as  was  possible.  One  was  intended 
for  the  pasha  and  his  friends  during  the  day,  the  sec- 
ond for  the  ladies  of  the  party  at  night,  and  the  third 
for  the  attendants  without  whom  an  eastern  dignitary 
can  not  travel.  All  the  cushions  and  carpets  that  could 
be  spared  from  the  different  houses  were  brought  to- 
gether. A  gayly  colored  awning  protected  against  the 
rays  of  the  sun,  while  on  the  night  boat  for  the  ladies, 
a  regular  house  was  built,  and  under  D  jambek's  personal 
supervision  was  fitted  up  with  all  the  comforts  and 
conveniences  which  this  out  of  the  way  place  could 
afford. 

Djambek's  house,  a  two-story  building,  stood  upon 
a  hill  commanding  the  river.  As  he  belonged  to  one 
of  the  most  distinguished  families  of  the  land,  his  house 
was  superior  to  the  others  of  the  village  in  size  and  in 
the  care  which  had  been  bestowed  on  both  its  interior 
and  exterior  ornamentation.  Finely  carved  work  on 
the  gables,  pillars  and  verandas  gave  it  an  appearance 
of  lightness  and  elegance,  and  the  walls  and  ceilings 
within  were  finished  with  no  little  taste.  In  the  recep- 
tion room  stood  an  immense  stove  of  marble,  whose  fine 
carving  gave  evidence  of  the  skill  and  artistic  taste  of 


,;..,,..;;,;l,». 


•»»^'V'.-J---- 


GATHERING  CLOUDS.  19 

the  native  stoye- workers.  Aronnd  the  four  sides  of 
the  room  ran  a  shelving  of  fragrant  cedar  wood  which 
was  a  masterpiece  of  filagree  work,  and  on  it  sparkled 
the  valuable  silver  plates,  cups,  bowls,  and  spoons  which 
dated  from  the  time  when  the  owner's  family  openly 
reckoned  itself  as  belonging  to  .the  Georgian  people 
and  stood  in  close  connection  with  the  Caucasian  cap- 
ital. Divans  of  various  shapes,  covered  with  fine  rugs  of 
Teker  and  Daghistan  and  soft  cushions  which  seemed 
to  invite  to  repose,  were  placed  along  the  walls,  while 
the  six  covered  tabourets  of  inlaid  mother-of-pearl 
stood  near  so  that  one  half -reclining  could  comfortably 
reach  coffee  cup  or  cigarette. 

Djambek  had  arranged  with  a  few  friends  to  meet 
the  guests  at  the  mouth  of  the  Adjaria  in  gayly  deco- 
rated boats.  Early  on  the  appointed  day  they  started 
on  their  way,  having  some  five  hours  of  distance  down 
stream. 

The  caimacam,  with  a  numerous  following,  was  at 
the  rendezvous  before  Djambek  and  his  friends  arrived 
there.  The  two  parties,  however,  after  formal  greet- 
ings, held  themselves  aloof  from  each  other,  as  neither 
of  the  opponents  felt  like  taking  the  first  step  toward 
the  other. 

A  boat  with  two  of  the  villagers  was  sent  farther 
down  the  stream  with  directions  to  fire  guns  when  they 
saw  the  pasha's  party  approaching.  Before  long  the 
shots  were  heard  and  the  little  boat  came  back  rowed 
at  full  speed.  The  boats  intended  for  the  reception  of 
the  guests  were  quickly  manned,  while  Djambek's  caique 
flew  swiftly  through  the  water  and  shot  ahead  of  the 
caimacam's. 

Cherif-Pasha  came  with  his  friends  on  a  cutter  be- 


'  ?«P-*'    <-j-'3!P'   " 


20  DJAMBEE,  THE  GEORQIAK. 

longing  to  the  customs  office,  and  he  was  not  displeased 
to  hear  from  D jambek  that  the  party  was  to  change  boats 
here  and  make  the  rest  of  the  journey  in  more  comfort. 

The  finely  decorated  caique  waiting  by  the  shore 
called  out  expressions  of  general  admiration,  and 
when  at  length  all, were  comfortably  seated  on  the 
soft  cushions  under  the  awning,  and  coffee  was  hand- 
ed around,  Cherif-Pasha  declared  that  everything 
was  beautifully  arranged,  and  that  his  young  friend, 
Djambek,  was  a  most  excellent  host  Thamar,  too, 
spoke  a  few  friendly  words  in  praise  of  the  arrange- 
ments, and  the  daughters  of  the  European  guests  were 
enthusiastic  in  their  admiration  of  everything. 

Djambek,  who,  after  seeing  his  guests  started 
would  have  withdrawn  to  his  own  boat,  was  compelled 
by  the  governor,  to  remain  with  him.  The  pasha  dso 
invited  the  caimacam  to  stay  near  him. 

The  course  up  the  river  was  slow,  but  no  one  was 
in  a  special  hurry,  for  the  whole  company  was  in  such 
good  spirits,  that  all  declared  the  voyage  might  last  a 
week  without  any  one  having  need  to  wish  it  at  an 
end.  As  the  boats  approached  the  first  village  a  caique 
put  out  carrying  the  elders  accompanied  by  their  at- 
tendants, while  the  other  inhabitants,  in  holiday  dress, 
lined  the  shore  and  filled  the  air  with  shouts  of  wel- 
come and  salvos  from  their  guns.  This  was  repeated 
at  each  village  they  passed.  As  noon  approached,  a 
landing  was  made  at  a  village  for  lunch. 

The  governor  conversed  in  a  jovial  way  with  the 
representatives  of  the  people,  listened  to  all  their  com- 
plaints, and  unhesitatingly  promised  to  right  all  that 
was  wrong,  agreeing  to  everything  in  the  friendliest 
way  possible. 


.^-""^ 


GATHBRINQ  CLOUDS.  21 

After  an  excellent  meal,  the  party  proceeded  on 
their  way,  and,. as  each  Tillage  contributed  one  boat  or 
more  to  the  escort,  the  train  toward  evening  became 
an  imposing  one.  With  the  approach  of  darkness 
torches  were  lighted,  while  bonfires  along  the  shore 
reflected  in  the  stream,  and,  lighting  up  the  groyes  and 
villages  along  the  banks,  made  the  scene  a  brilliant  one. 

On  board  the  governor's  boat  the  best  of  spirits 
prevailed,  and  no  one  thought  of  retiring.  Eefresh- 
ments  of  various  kinds  were  placed  on  a  table  for 
whomsoever  wished  to  help  himself,  while  a  company 
of  musicians  discoursed  the  plaintive  minor  music  pe- 
culiar to  the  East. 

Thamar  sat  at  one  side,  away  from  the  others,  and 
dreamily  watched  the  changing  scenes  along  the  banks 
lit  up  with  a  fantastic  light  by  the  torches  and  bonfires. 
D jambek  reclined  at  her  side,  telling  her  of  the  pecul- 
iar customs  of  the  people,  customs  handed  down  from 
remotest  time. 

^  I  did  not  think  when  we  landed  in  Batoum  that 
we  were  to  find  here  a  real  fairy-land,"  said  the  young 
girl. 

Djambek  smiled.  "  It  appears  to  you  so  now,  un- 
der the  influence  of  this  excursion,  which  has  some- 
thing romantic  in  it,"  he  said,  "  but  I  can  assure  you 
that,  as  a  rule,  life  here  is  prosaic  enough.  The  strug- 
gle for  personal  interests  requires  so  much  of  one's 
energy,  that  there  is  little  time  left  to  indulge  in  ro- 
mantic ideas.    In  former  times  it  was  different." 

Thamar  glanced  up  with  some  surprise.  "You 
speak  as  if  you  were  a  relative  of  Russudan,  who  is 
always  bewailing  the  loss  of  the  good  old  times  when 
strict  rules  prevailed  and  every  infraction  of  ruling 


Sg  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

customs  was  looked  upon  as  a  high  crime.  I  must 
admit  I  do  not  mourn  for  the  loss  of  these  so-called 
good  old  times,  for  then,  instead  of  enjoying  this 
pleasant  trip,  I  should  have  the  doubtful  pleasure  of 
sitting  behind  lock  and  key,  nibbling  helva  or  count- 
ing my  string  of  amber  beads.  No,  I  was  not  created 
for  that  sort  of  life.  The  blood  of  my  mother  would 
revolt  against  it." 

"  You  misunderstand  me,"  said  Djambek ;  "  I  too 
have  tasted  enough  of  "Western  customs  to  have  no  de- 
sire for  the  revival  of  our  old,  strict  ideas  of  life.  I 
only  regret  the  existing  conditions  which  force  us  to 
be  incessantly  on  our  guard  if  we  would  not  be  crushed 
in  the  battle  for  existence.  It  is  just  that  that  robs 
life  of  its  pleasures,  and  forbids  us  from  taking  time 
for  thinking  of  anything  else  but  the  merely  material. 
In  former  times  one  would  go  cheerfully  about  his 
day's  work,  and,  when  that  was  ended,  meet  with  his 
fellows  for  an  evening  of  quiet  pleasure  with  dancing 
and  singing,  and  so  dream  away  a  few  hours  free  from 
the  strain  of  life's  cares  and  labors.  But,  now,  each 
goes  gloomily  to  his  hut,  to  count  on  his  fingers  how 
much  remains  to  be  done,  and  how  hard  he  must  labor 
in  the  sweat  of  his  brow  to  satisfy  the  demands  con- 
stantly made  upon  him  by  those  above  him,  and  to 
put  off  the  evil  hour  when  he  will  be  driven  from 
house  and  field,  because  his  earnings  are  not  enough 
to  meet  the  obligations  imposed  on  him  by  the  state. 
Formerly,  each  enjoyed  for  himself  the  fruits  of  his 
labor  ;  now,  they  fall  into  the  laps  of  those  who  have 
done  little  or  nothing  to  deserve  them.  But  I  am 
wrong  to  spoil  the  pleasure  of  the  day  by  such  un- 
pleasant talk.     Forgive  me." 


^m-' 


-»  "-^We^JS^jS-^-^-Sjf  «,!  ^~ 


GATHERING  CLOUDS.  23 

"  You  do  me  wrong  if  you  think  I  care  to  talk  only 
about  light  and  trivial  matters ;  I  can  also  sympathize 
with  others'  hardships,  if  I  could  only  do  something 
to  help  them.  From  all  you  say,  I  judge  you  blame 
the  existing  government.     Is  my  uncle — " 

"  Your  uncle  is  a  good  man,"  interrupted  Djambek, 
fearing  he  had  introduced  a  subject  that  was  painful 
to  his  companion — "  perhaps,  indeed,  he  is  too  good. 
He  wishes  to  make  things  pleasant  for  everybody,  and 
that  is  a  difficult  task. — See  there,"  he  cried,  "  they 
are  burning  Bengal-lights.  The  light  reaches  to  the 
distant  mountains.  You  can  even  see  the  snow-cov- 
ered summits,  if  you  look  close." 

Thamar  looked  in  the  direction  he  indicated. 
"  Yes,  indeed,  I  can  see  the  glimmer  of  the  snow." 

"There  is  an  old  tradition  connected  with  that 
mountain,"  continued  Djambek.  "  It  happened,  as  in 
all  fairy  tales,  ages  and  ages  ago.  A  prince  of  the  land, 
at  the  bidding  of  his  mother,  went  to  the  mountains 
to  seek  a  bride.  He  soon  returned,  bringing  a  young 
girl  with  him.  Accompanying  her  was-  a  most  beau- 
tiful woman.  'Who  is  this  woman?'  demanded  his 
mother,  looking  with  jealous  eyes  upon  the  stranger. 
'  The  friend  and  protector  of  my  bride,'  replied  the  son. 
'  Then,'  cried  the  mother,  in  anger,  *  she  is  a  creature 
that  win  bring  woe  to  thee  and  thine !  No !  I  will 
not  endure  her ! '  and  she  uttered  a  furious  curse  which 
changed  the  bride  and  her  companion  into  stone  where 
they  stood.  The  following  morning  the  husband  of 
the  beautiful  woman  came,  and  when  he  learned  what 
had  happened  he  broke  forth  in  dreadful  cries,  so  that 
the  whole  valley  was  filled  with  the  noise,  and  the 
hills  echoed  back  his  lamentations  unceasingly.    The 


5J4.  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

inhabitants  of  the  place  were  terror-stricken  at  the 
frightful  clamor,  and  called  to  their  assistance  a  giant, 
who  chained  the  husband  to  the  rocks.  But  when  the 
unhappy  man  swore  by  all  his  gods  that  he  would 
cease  his  cries,  the  giant  released  him  from  his  chains. 
As  soon  as  he  was  free,  he  sprang  at  one  leap  over 
the  mountains  to  that  snow-clad  pinnacle  yonder,  and 
there  disappeared.  But  on  the  rock  to  which  he  had 
been  chained  one  may  see  to-day  the  impression  that 
his  foot  left  as  he  made  that  mighty  leap.  A  primi- 
tive tale,  is  it  not  ?  " 

"  But  perhaps  with  some  meaning  for  those  who 
can  read  it  aright,"  said  Thamar,  musingly. 

"  Yes,  you  are  right.  I  have  often  thought  over  it, 
wondering  if  there  were  not  some  historical  event  for 
its  basis,  or  whether,  perhaps,  it  had  some  allegorical 
meaning  taken  from  the  long-vanished  past." 

"  And  have  you  come  to  any  conclusion  ?  " 

"  Not  with  certainty ;  for  there  are  so  many  mean- 
ings that  might  be  attributed  to  it  that  it  is  difficult 
to  say  which  is  the  right  one.  It  seems  most  probable 
that  it  is  the  form  of  the  Promethean  myth  that  ob- 
tained in  this  land.  The  rock  to  which,  according  to 
the  myth,  the  unhappy  hero  was  bound,  lies  not  far 
distant  from  here.  It  is  a  mountain  in  Imerethia,  now 
called  the  Chwamli ;  that  is  to  say.  Smoke,  probably 
because  its  top  is  often  covered  with  clouds.  But  it  is 
also  possible  that,  in  the  first  instance,  the  legend  was 
intended  to  teach  that  one  must  be  constantly  on  his 
guard  against  the  encroachment  of  foreign  elements, 
and,  to  avoid  unhappy  results,  one  must  see  that  he  be 
not  carried  away  with  the  witchery  of  beauty  and 
splendor." 


■M- 


GATHERING  CLOUDS.  25 

"  I  suppose  by  '  foreign  elements '  we  are  meant,'* 
said  Thamar,  smiling. 

"  You  ?  Your  name  clearly  marks  you  as  belong- 
ing to  us.  Thamar  was  the  greatest  queen  that  ever 
lived,  and  under  her  rule  naught  but  good  came  to  the 
land." 

"  That  is  very  flattering  of  you.  Very  well,  will 
you  choose  me  as  your  queen  ?  I  certainly  would  ac- 
cept the  throne,"  she  replied,  laughingly. 

"  As  my  queen  ?    Instantly !    With  all  my  heart." 

The  words  escaped  his  lips  without  his  will,  and 
he  drew  back  half  frightened  at  his  boldness.  The 
girl,  too,  startled  at  the  meaning  given  by  her  harmless 
jest,  let  her  eyes  seek  the  ground,  forgetful  that  the 
darkness  hid  the  blushes  that  colored  her  cheeks  and 
brow.  Both  were  silent  with  embarrassment ;  and  nei- 
ther knew  how  to  begin  the  conversation  again. 

Daria  solved  the  difficulty  by  approaching  her 
friend  and  telling  her  that  the  ladies  were  about  to 
withdraw  to  the  other  boat  where  their  sleeping 
quarters  had  been  arranged.  The  company  dispersed, 
and  soon  nothing  disturbed  the  stillness  of  the  night 
but  the  regular  dip  of  the  oar  and  the  ripple  of  the 
water. 


:  •■■  T.^^if "  Y^\i  '^f^^jr'.S!^;W!^m'iW^!p^s'W^ 


CHAPTER  III. 

AX  EXCURSION^  AND  INVESTIGATION. 

The  sun  was  high  when  the  party  reassembled  the 
next  morning  on  board  the  governor's  boat. 

The  day  was  beautiful.  A  cool  breeze  from  the 
west  tempered  the  heat  of  the  sun  and  made  it  prac- 
ticable to  use  the  sail  and  so  increase  the  speed  of  the 
boats.  The  pasha  saw  to  his  satisfaction  that  the  boats 
accompanying  him  had  much  increased  in  number 
overnight  so  that  his  was  at  the  head  of  quite  a  numer- 
ous fleet  of  larger  and  smaller  boats  and  caiques.  On 
all  sides  were  songs  and  music  and  cheers  of  welcome 
from  the  people  along  the  shores ;  so  that  he  felt  him- 
self quite  like  a  king  making  a  progress  through  his 
land  and  receiving  the  plaudits  of  his  people.  As  they 
were  now  in  the  region  celebrated  for  its  fruit,  at  many 
of  the  villages  the  tributes  of  respect  brought  by  the 
chiefs  took  that  form. 

At  length  they  reached  the  end  of  their  journey, 
and,  as  they  approached  Scalta,  they  could  see  a  great 
crowd  of  people  assembled  on  the  bank  in  holiday 
attire.  As  the  boats  neared  the  landing-place,  loud 
cries  went  up  from  the  people,  mingled  with  the  reports 
of  fire-arms,  which  echoed  and  re-echoed  among  the 
hills. 


AN  EXCUESION  AND  INVESTIGATION.         27 

Landing  at  the  impromptn  stage  laid  with  carpets, 
the  pasha  and  his  friends  mounted  the  horses  which 
stood  ready.  Djambek  assisted  Thamar  to  mount, 
and  in  doing  so  held  her  pretty  foot  perhaps  an  instant 
longer  than  was  strictly  necessary  for  the  purpose,  and 
all  proceeded  in  gay  procession  to  the  house. 

The  more  distant  villages  not  less  interested  in  the 
event  than  the  Adjarian  highland  had  sent  most  of  their 
men  to  join  in  the  honors  paid  the  distinguished  guest, 
so  that  there  was  such  a  multitude  in  the  little  village 
as  certainly  had  never  been  seen  there  before.  Cherif- 
Pasha  observed  this  with  no  little  self-satisfaction  as 
he  looked  down  from  the  carved  balcony  on  the  crowd 
below. 

"  I  thank  you  heartily,  my  dear  young  friend,"  he 
said,  pressing  Djambek's  hand.  "  You  have  given  me 
a  reception,  and  through  me  our  august  sovereign,  the 
padishah,  which  speaks  eloquently  for  the  excellent 
feeling  of  the  people." 

Then  turning  to  the  caimacam,  he  added : 

"  Let  the  people  be  told  that  the  rest  of  the  day  is 
to  be  devoted  to  pleasure,  but  that  to-morrow  I  shall 
be  pleased  to  listen  to  any  petitions  or  representations 
they  may  have  to  make,  and  for  that  purpose  it  will 
be  more  convenient  for  all  if  they  choose  representa- 
tives to  speak  in  their  name." 

The  banquet-table  was  q)read  under  the  giant 
lindens  with  places  for  fifty,  as,  besides  the  pasha*s 
party,  the  leading  men  of  the  vicinity  had  been  invited. 
Parallel  with  this  table  was  another  for  the  village 
elders  and  the  lesser  officials.  As  for  the  others,  they 
sat  about  in  groups  on  the  grass  around  the  fires  where 
the  food  was  being  prepared. 

3 


•  >»-«■-  »•  ""TlfSaiT^-TXW-S^^iFWW^^i; 


28  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

While  the  guests  were  still  at  table,  and  coffee  and 
cigarettes  were  being  handed  around,  the  villagers 
commenced  their  national  songs  and  dances.  All  were 
in  holiday  dress,  and  each  had  taken  pains  to  deck 
himself  out  with  the  best  his  wardrobe  afforded. 

The  Adjarian  costume,  together  with  that  of  the 
Guriens,  is  the  most  attractive  of  the  Caucasus.  A 
jacket  reaching  only  to  the  waist,  open  at  the  breast  to 
show  the  bright-colored  caftan — a  garment  between  a 
vest  and  shirt — covers  the  upper  part  of  the  body. 
The  trousers  are  wide  at  the  waist  and  narrow  at  the 
ankles ;  a  wide  girdle  of  bright-colored  silk  is  bound 
many  times  around  the  waist.  The  feet  are  covered 
with  shoes  of  soft  leather,  pointed  and  embroidered. 
Like  all  Caucasians,  the  Adjarian  prides  himself  in 
his  weapons :  a  dagger  and  pistol,  often  two  pistols, 
richly  inlaid  with  silver,  are  thrust  into  the  girdle,  the 
latter  generally  behind  the  hips.  Two  rows  of  metal 
cartridges,  fastened  in  a  band  of  filigree-work,  sparkle 
across  the  breast.  A  small  pouch  of  leather  embroid- 
ered in  gold  thread  and  attached  to  a  gold  cord  which 
passes  around  the  neck,  carries  flint  and  tinder  and  a 
small  box  of  grease  for  use  in  loading  the  cartridges, 
while  at  the  girdle  hangs  a  flat  drinking-cup  of  metal 
or  leather.  The  every-day  dress  is  usually  of  gray  or 
light  brown,  but  on  festivals  occasions  brighter  colors 
are  brought  into  use,  particularly  blue,  of  which  one 
may  see  every  shade  in  the  different  costumes.  The 
head-covering,  a  sort  of  turban,  is  of  some  bright 
color — red,  blue,  or  yellow. 

The  women  and  young  girls  wore  veils  over  their 
heads,  with  the  ends  drawn  over  the  face ;  but  here  and 
there,  in  the  excitement  of  the  dance,  the  jealous  cov- 


AN  EXCURSION  AND  INVESTIGATION.         29 

ering  would  fall  down,  revealing  glowing  cheeks,  spark- 
ling black  eyes,  and  rich  red  lips.  Nor  indeed  were 
the  young  women  very  particular  about  hiding  the 
charms  of  their  faces,  especially  as  the  ladies  with 
Oherif-Pasha  gave  the  example  of  fullest  freedom  in 
this  respect. 

The  couples  turned  in  graceful  movements  to  the 
more  melancholy  than  joyous  strains  of  the  native 
stringed  instruments.  There  were  war  and  weapon 
dances  too,  which  gave  opportunity  for  much  address 
and  skill,  as  the  dancers  held  their  sharp  daggers  to 
breast  and  throat,  when  a  misstep  or  mistaken  move- 
ment might  give  a  serious  wound.  After  the  dancing 
came  wrestling-matches  and  foot-races.  When  these 
were  over,  darkness  was  approaching,  and  the  servants 
dispersed  to  prepare  the  lanterns  of  colored  paper  to 
hang  about  the  verandas  and  grounds,  and  to  prepare 
the  fire-rafts  which  were  to  be  floated,  down  the  river. 

While  these  preparations  were  going  on,  Djambek 
found  opportunity  to  exchange  a  few  words  with  Tha- 
mar.  When  she  complimented  him  on  the  success  of 
the  fete  he  had  arranged,  he  replied,  with  Oriental 
extravagance,  that  the  honors  they  had  tried  to  show 
her  were,  to  his  regret,  far  below  what  was  due  her 
rank  and  beauty,  but  that  they  came  from  devoted 
hearts,  and  that  this  day,  which  had  brought  the 
queen  of  the  fairies  to  her  home,  would  be  remembered 
forever  in  all  Adjaria. 

Thamar  smiled  at  the  extravagant  words.  "  Do 
you  forget  that  we  were  not  brought  up  in  this  coun- 
try ?  "  she  said,  with  a  slight  reproof  in  her  tone. 

"  I  do  not  forget  it,  but  the  customs  of  the  coun- 
try will  have  it  so.    And  in  any  case,  my  thoughts  re- 


30  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

main  the  same,  though  they  are  clothed  in  our  Eastern 
garb.  I  feel  myself  really  indebted  to  you  for  coming 
and  the  every-day  phrase  —  'I  have  been  much 
pleased ' — ogives  too  little  expression  to  my  thought." 

"  Especially  as  these  customary  expressions  of 
pleasure  often  mean  the  very  opposite." 

"  Very  true  !  So  we  will  keep  to  our  Oriental 
forms — " 

"  Which  also  do  not  always  come  from  the  heart," 
she  said,  smilingly,  "  but  are  better  in  keeping  with 
the  place." 

"  Shall  I  take  a  solemn  oath  that  to-day  they  are 
the  expressions  of  the  fullest  truth  ?  " 

"I  will  believe  you,"  she  replied,  with  a  laugh. 
"  As  far  as  concerns  myself,  I  came  with  the  most 
friendly  feeling,  so  there  is  no  reason  why  you  should 
wish  my  visit  had  not  taken  place;  and,  as  for  my 
uncle,  I  can  assure  you  that  he  is  friendly  to  you,  and 
undertook  this  trip  with  the  best  intentions." 

"  May  his  visit  bear  the  hoped-for  fruit ! "  he  re- 
plied. 

The  other  young  people  now  came  up  to  them ; 
and  as  Hassan  Bey,  the  commander  of  the  garrison, 
seemed  to  have  something  particular  he  wished  to  say 
to  Thamar,  Djambek  yielded  his  place  to  him  and  fell 
into  conversation  with  Daria  and  the  European  ladies. 
All  agreed  in  saying  that  the  whole  excursion  had 
been  like  a  visit  to  fairy-land  ;  and,  if  Djambek  had 
been  open  to  conceit,  he  might  well  have  drawn  con- 
clusions very  favorable  to  himself  from  the  flattering 
words  and  bright  glances  that  fell  about  him. 

Totia,  the  pasha's  factotum,  sought  from  a  feeling 
of  Jealousy  to  weaken  the  effect  of  the  day's  festivities 


AN  BXCUftSION  Am>  INVESTIGATION.        31 

by  a  glowing  description  of  how  magnificent  had  been 
the  reception  given  the  Bnssian  Czar  on  his  visit  to 
the  Caucasus.  But  his  descriptions  found  little  favor 
with  the  company,  who  all  declared  that  it  was  doubt- 
less very  well  in  its  way,  but  could  not  have  equaled 
what  they  had  enjoyed  to-day. 

A  shot  now  rang  through  the  air.  A  few  seconds 
later  sparks  glittered  all  along  the  shore,  and  then  a 
shower  of  fire  fell  upon  the  water,  and  the  river  was 
covered  with  thousands  of  dancing  lights.  A  second, 
a  third  report  followed,  until  the  whole  river  as  far  as 
the  eye  could  reach  glowed  and  glistened  with  shim- 
mering points.  The  concentrated  light  threw  a  crim- 
son glow  upon  both  shores,  so  that  the  giant  trees  whose . 
branches  overhung  the  water  stood  out  in  strange 
colors,  and  suddenly  seemed  to  be  on  fire  to  their  very 
tops.  Then  the  dark  form  of  a  boat  glided  out  on 
the  glowing  surface  of  the  river,  to  suddenly  become 
wrapped  in  colored  fire  and  then  spring  into  the  air 
with  a  loud  report. 

This  was  the  signal  for  the  music  and  dancing  to 
commence  again.  By  the  mild  light  of  the  colored 
lamps,  the  couples  glided  about  in  graceful  circles,  at 
first  with  measured  movements,  but  then,  quickly  be- 
coming excited,  they  flew  faster  and  faster,  until  the 
whole  company  was  in  a  confusion  of  leaping,  whirl- 
ing, singing,  shouting  dancers  whose  movements  the 
eye  could  not  follow.  Suddenly,  a  figure,  which  in  the 
half-light  looked  gigantic,  leaped  over  the  heads  of 
those  in  the  outer  circle,  seized  one  of  the  girls  in  his 
arms  and  with  powerful  blows  made  a  way  through 
the  crowd  to  disappear  with  his  burden,  like  a  flash,  in 
the  darkness.    The  mysterious  personage  had  pushed 


•^f-  ■»»^SfB»^'-i 


32  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

his  way  close  by  where  Thamar  was  standing  with  her 
friends,  and  now  as  a  crowd  of  men  with  drawn  dag- 
gers and  wild  cries  rushed  by  her,  she  grasped  Djam- 
bek's  arm  in  terror. 

"  A  bold  fellow,"  he  said,  quietly.  "  This  is  in 
earnest.    It  was  not  a  part  of  the  programme." 

"  What  is  it  ?  "  she  asked,  in  agitation. 

"  A  peasant  has  carried  off  his  sweetheart,  so  that 
he  may  marry  her  in  spite  of  her  relatives.  It  behooves 
him  to  be  quick  and  clever  now,  unless  he  wants  to 
pay  for  his  boldness  with  his  life." 

"  You  think  that " — ^loud  and  angry  cries  were 
heard  from  the  river-bank — "  Listen  !  Ought  not  some 
one  go  to  his  help  ?  " 

He  grasped  her  hands  tightly,  that  she  might  not 
be  carried  away  by  the  crowd  which  rushed  by  them. 

"  Oh,  I  know  the  man.  He  is  one  of  the  strongest 
and  cleverest  young  peasants  in  the  highlands.  Any- 
way, he  is  certainly  not  alone.  His  friends  will  know 
how  to  turn  the  pursuers  off  from  his  track.  It  is  their 
affair,  and  it  would  go  hard  with  any  third  party  who 
tried  to  interfere.  He  would  draw  down  on  him  the 
vengeance  of  the  whole  crowd.  If  I  thought  he  was 
in  real  peril,  I  would  go  to  his  help — to  assist  true  love 
in  distress,  for  I  do  not  believe  that  any  one  has  the 
right  to  interfere  in  another's  love-affairs.  It  is  quiet 
now — a  sign  that  they  have  found  no  trace  of  them 
yet." 

The  whole  company  had  by  this  time  thronged  to 
the  banks  of  the  river,  as  it  was  thought  the  fugitive 
had  taken  to  a  boat.  Even  Cherif-Pasha  and  his  com- 
pany had  been  drawn  there  by  curiosity  with  the 
others.     Djambek  and  Thamar  stood  alone  under  the 


AN  EXCURSION  AND  INVESTIGATION.         33 

lindens.  The  murmur  of  many  voices  came  to  them 
from  below,  with  now  and  then  a  loud  shout  from  one 
of  the  pursuers,  giving  directions  to  those  in  the  other 
boats. 

Suddenly,  from  one  of  the  hills  on  the  other  side 
of  the  river  there  rang  out  a  shot  and  a  loud  shout. 

Thamar  anxiously  pressed  Djambek's  hand,  and 
her  voice  trembled  as  she  whispered  : 

«  They  have  killed  him ! " 

"  No ;  on  the  contrary,"  cried  D jambek,  joyfully,  re- 
turning the  pressure  of  her  hand, "  he  is  out  of  danger 
and  is  in  safety  now.  He  was  clever  enough  to  choose 
the  difl&cult  and  dangerous  way  over  the  mountain  in- 
stead of  trying  to  escape  down  the  river.  He  is  a  long 
way  ahead  now,  and  knows  every  path,  and  it  will  be 
impossible  for  them  to  overtake  him."  And,  as  if  to 
vex  the  others,  he  drew  his  pistol  and  fibred  it,  at  the 
same  time  giving  a  prodigious  shout  of  exultation. 

Thamar  now  noticed  for  the  first  time  that  he  was 
still  holding  her  hand.  She  drew  it  away,  blushing,  and 
turned  into  the  path  which  led  to  where  the  others  were. 

"  These  are  fine  goings  on,"  said  Cherif-Pasha,  shak- 
ing his  finger  at  Djambek  as  he  approached.  "  Kid- 
napping ! — elopement ! "  and  he  broke  into  a  hearty 
laugh.  "  Well,  I  must  close  one  eye,  and  believe  that 
our  host  has  arranged  this  little  piece  of  acting  for  our 
amusement.  But,  if  they  had  caught  the  rascal,  by 
Allah,  I  would  have  given  him  a  good  lecture  and 
locked  him  up  for  a  month." 

"You  would  hardly  be  so  severe  as  that,"  said 
Djambek,  smiling. 

"  Indeed  I  would.  I  should  certainly  have  made 
an  example  of  him." 


-j'"-:-.r'-'»"c,k-:' 


34  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

"That  is,  supposing  they  had  brought  him  back 
alive ! "  added  Djambek. 

"  It  would  be  a  fine  state  of  affairs  if  they  killed 
him  for  such  a  piece  of  foolishness." 

"  So,  if  any  one  dared,  for  example — your  niece — " 

"  That,  my  friend,  is  something  difEerent,"  inter- 
rupted the  pasha  in  evident  displeasure.  "  I  represent 
here  our  august  lord  the  padishah,  and  any  one  that 
would  commit  such  a  crime  against  him  is  certainly 
ripe  for  the  gallows.  But  it  is  getting  late  and  I  must 
be  up  early  to-morrow,  to  listen  to  what  the  good  peo- 
ple have  to  say  and  to  carry  out  their  wishes.  So, 
thanks,  friend  Djambek,  for  a  delightful  day,  and — 
good-night ! " 

It  had  been  arranged  that  the  pasha  and  suite  with 
the  caimacam  should  go  to  the  government-house  of 
the  district,  distant  some  hours'  journey,  where  the 
representatives  of  the  different  communities  were  to 
meet  them.  The  other  guests  in  the  mean  time  were 
to  visit  a  friend  of  Djambek's  to  attend  the  celebration 
of  a  wedding. 

The  programme  was  carried  out  the  next  day,  the 

.pasha  with  his  suite,  Ali  Bey,  Hassan  Bey,  and  Totia 

going  to  hold  the  inspection,  while  Djambek  and  his 

other  guests  betook  themselves  to  the  scene  of  the 

wedding.  -** 

The  host  and  his  guests  passed  a  pleasant  day  at 
the  wedding  festivities,  and  toward  evening  were  es- 
corted home  by  the  bridegroom  and  his  friends.  The 
pasha  arrived  about  the  same  time.  He  was  in  excel- 
lent spirits,  and  assured  Djambek  that  everything  had 
gone  off  finely.  "  The  people  are  all  satisfied,"  he  said, 
loud  enough  to  be  overheard  by  Ali  Bey,  who  compla- 


.  ^:--yf:  ■?^'^'i.\-'  ■'■'  - 


AN  EXCURSION  AND  INVESTIGATION.         35 

cently  stroked  his  beard  and  regarded  Djambek  with 
an  ill-concealed  look  of  triumph.  He  had  eyery  reason 
to  be  satisfied  at  his  victory,  thongh  it  had  been  easily 
won,  as  he  had  himself  chosen  the  representatives  who 
were  to  speak  in  behalf  of  the  others.  These  naturally 
had  no  complaints  to  make,  and  vied  with  each  other 
in  praise  of  the  caimacam  who,  according  to  their  ver- 
sion, was  a  most  upright  man,  always  ready  to  assist 
the  well-disposed  and  peaceable. 

Djambek  contented  himself  with  a  shrug  of  the 
shoulders.  It  was  evident  that  a  trick  had  been  played 
him ;  but  to-day  he  was  unable  to  guess  how  Ali  Bey 
had  been  able  to  make  the  dissatisfied  and  wronged 
members  of  the  community  keep  silent.  What  could 
he  then  say  to  the  pasha?  But  it  was  bitter  for  him 
to  think  that  he  had  incurred  all  this  trouble  and  ex- 
pense, only  to  bring  about  the  triumph  of  his  enemy. 

He  retired  with  the  feeling  of  a  man  who  has 
staked  all  his  fortune  on  a  card,  and  sees  his  opponent 
drawing  it  in  with  a  grin  of  triumph.  From  what  he 
knew  of  the  pasha,  he  knew  that  he  woul '  uow  he  sat- 
isfied, and  assured  for  all  time  of  the  sati  liiCLurj  state 
of  affairs.  There  was  no  longer  any  hope  of  convin- 
cing him  that  his  subordinate  had  misused  his  office  to 
amass  wealth.  If  justice  was  to  be  obtained  now,  it 
must  be  sought  farther  off  than  Batoum — and,  even 
there,  there  was  but  little  hope — for  who  in  Stamboul 
would  trouble  himself  about  an  insignificant  province 
in  the  Caucasus,  of  which  even  the  name  was  hardly 
known  ?  And  even  if  he  were  listened  to,  the  first  step 
would  be  to  ask  for  a  report  from  Cherif-Pasha,  and 
one  could  harbor  no  illusion  as  to  what  the  character 
of  the  report  would  be. 


■9-:i^'W^ipy^:'?^^^?^^-^i'm^ry^^l^<^f^^-^. 


36  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

Djambek  arose  early  the  next  morning,  hoping  that 
he  might  have  an  opportunity  for  a  talk  with  Cherif- 
Pasha ;  but,  in  answer  to  his  inquiries,  he  was  told  that 
his  guest  was  still  peacefully  slumbering.  So  he  occu- 
pied the  time  walking  up  and  down  before  the  house, 
and,  while  doing  so,  he  saw  his  relative  Artsdhil  at  one 
of  the  open  windows.  He  beckoned  to  him  to  come 
out,  and  poured  forth  his  grievances  to  him. 

Artschil  listened  quietly,  and,  when  the  other  was 
silent,  said : 

"  What  will  you  have,  then  ?  Ali  Bey  is  a  sly  fox, 
who  knows  how  to  turn  things  to  his  own  advantage. 
There  is  nothing  you  can  do  now.  It  is  hopeless  to 
try  and  win  the  pasha  to  your  side,  since  he  has,  as  he 
thinks,  investigated  matters  for  himself.  You  would 
only  make  him  regard  you  as  a  slanderer  and  busy- 
body whom  it  would  be  well  to  keep  at  a  distance.  If 
you  follow  my  advice,  you  will  act  in  a  friendly  way 
toward  Ali  Bey,  and,  for  the  present,  let  matters,  rest 
where  they  are." 

"  Never ! "  cried  D jambek,  excitedly ;  "  I  will  never 
so  demean  myself  as  to  make  common  cause  with  a 
man  whom  I  look  upon  as  a  thief  and  an  oppressor  of 
the  people,  and  whom  I  despise  from  the  bottom  of 
my  heart." 

Artschil  waved  his  hand  back  and  forth  in  a  gest- 
ure peculiar  to  the  native  Georgians. 

"What  will  you  do?  You  can't  change  nature 
and  make  trees  grow  downward.  Cherif-Pasha  has 
heard  only  good  reports  concerning  the  caimacam. 
You  see,  therefore,  that  your  own  associates  have  left 
you  in  the  lurch.  Believe  me,  it  never  pays  to  sacri- 
fice yourself  in  the  interests  of  others." 


AN  EXCURSION  AND  INVESTIGATION.         37 

'  The  other  shook  his  head. 

"It  would  be  cowardly  to  allow  one's  self  to  be 
frightened  from  his  purpose  because  momentarily  his 
opponent  has  the  advantage  over  him.  Let  Ali  Bey 
beware  !  If  I  can  not  obtain  justice  from  those  who 
are  appointed  to  do  justice,  I  and  my  countrymen  know 
how  to  obtain  it  for  ourselves." 

"  You  are  too  hot  -  headed,  Djambek,"  retorted 
Artschil.  "  Beware  of  trying  to  meet  force  with  force. 
They  are  too  strong  for  you."  He  paused,  and,  shad- 
ing his  eyes  with  his  hand,  looked  in  the  direction 
from  which  a  band  of  horsemen  was  seen  approaching. 
"  What  people  are  those  ?  "  he  asked. 

Djambek  strained  his  eyes  to  see,  for  the  men  were 
still  at  some  distance. 

"  It  is  Murza-Khan.  Probably  he  is  coming  from 
the  mountains,  where  he  sent  his  cattle  a  few  days 
ago." 

Murza-Khan  was  a  prominent  ch^ticter  in  the 
land,  and  one  that  was  feared.  His  ancestors  had  been 
freebooters  in  further  Asia,  who  in  times  of  war  took 
every  opportunity  to  plunder,  irrespective  of  which 
side  they  robbed.  In  this  way  they  had  in  the  course 
of  time  amassed  great  riches,  a  large  part  of  which 
was  in  landed  estates  which  they  had  forcibly  taken 
possession  of.  Murza's  father,  however,  sold  the 
larger  part  of  these  when  the  Kussians  began  to  get 
possession  of  the  country,  and  with  the  proceeds  re- 
moved to  Turkish  territory,  where  he  acquired  exten- 
sive estates,  which  brought  him  in  large  profits  in  silk, 
oil,  and  wax. 

After  his  father's  death,  Murza-Khan  came  into 
the  possession  of  the  estates,  which  constantly  increased 


38  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

in  value,  so  that  at  length  he  came  to  be  a  personage 
looked  upon  by  his  neighbors  as  a  little  king.  He 
owned  pasture-lands  in  the  Adjarian  highlands,  and 
thither  he  sent  every  spring  his  extensive  flocks  and 
herds,  to  remain  there  until  winter.  His  estates  proper 
were  situated  north  of  Batoum.  There  he  had  his  own 
residence  in  a  castle  called  Kardjeti-Tziche,  situated  on 
a  rocky  eminence  overlooking  the  sea. 

Murza-Khan  had  no  need  of  robbing  others  to  add 
to  his  riches ;  but  it  was  whispered  that  by  means  of 
his  boats,  of  which  he  owned  a  perfect  fleet,  he  occa- 
sionally imported  goods  upon  which  the  government 
collected  no  duty.  The  authorities  winked  at  this; 
for  the  northern  district  to  a  man  swore  by  the  name 
of  Murza-Khan,  and  it  was  as  well  to  keep  so  power- 
ful a  man  for  a  friend. 

Djambek  went  forward  to  meet  the  stranger,  whom 
he  had  often  visited  with  his  father  when  a  boy.  "  I 
sent  you  word  that  Cherif- Pasha  was  coming  here  on 
a  visit,"  he  said,  after  the  usual  salutations;  "but 
perhaps  my  messenger  did  not  find  you  at  home." 

"  Yes,  I  know  it,"  replied  Murza-Khan,  indiffer- 
ently. "  I  knew  of  the  visit,  but  it  was  of  more  im- 
portance to  me  to  look  after  the  welfare  of  my  herds 
than  of  Cherif-Pasha.  I  can  assure  myself  as  to  his 
health  any  day  if  I  want  to." 

"  But  you  will  rest  here,  will  you  not  ?  "  said  Djam- 
bek, with  a  hospitable  wave  of  the  hand ;  and,  as  the 
governor  is  returning  home  soon,  it  will  be  pleasanter 
for  you  to  go  the  shorter  way  by  boat  with  him.  We 
can  arrange  a  boat  for  the  horses." 

"  That  will  suit  me,  though  you  know  I  have  no 
special  love  for  high  society."    He  dismounted,  and 


AN  EXCURSION  AND  INVESTIGATION.         39 

again  sainted  Djambek  and  Artschil.  "If  you  can 
give  me  some  breakfast,  Heaven  will  reward  you,  for  I 
have  eaten  nothing  for  six  hours." 

Djambek  at  once  gave  the  necessary  orders,  and 
Murza-Khan  soon  sat  down  to  a  bountiful  breakfast. 
"  That  was  good,"  he  said,  after  satisfying  his  hunger. 
"  I  feel  more  good-natured  now,  too,"  and  his  bearded 
face  was  drawn  into  a  friendly  grimace,  showing  two 
rows  of  powerful  white  teeth.  "  Now  I  will  make  his 
High  Mightiness  one  of  my  most  respectful  salaams." 

At  this  moment  Cherif- Pasha  came  out  of  the 
house,  and,  as  soon  as  he  recognized  Murza-Khan,  he 
hastened  toward  him. 

"What!  is  it  you?"  he  exclaimed.  "It  is  well 
that  you  let  yourself  be  seen.  You  have  been  a  rare 
guest  of  late." 

"Unfortunately,"  he  replied,  affecting  a  tone  of 
deep  regret  "  Business  gives  me  no  rest ;  it  is  always 
driving  me." 

"  A  happy  lot,  when  it  drives  into  riches,"  said  the 
pasha. 

"  Riches !  He  only  is  rich  who  carries  his  wealth 
with  him.  I  envy  these  strolling  singers,  who  have  no 
cares,  are  welcome  everywhere,  and  get  food  and  lodg- 
ing at  the  only  cost  of  letting  their  songs  be  heard." 

"  Perhaps  you  are  right,  Murza-Khan.  "We  who 
are  called  rich  have  more  cares  than  pleasures." 

One  by  one  the  others  of  the  party  came  from  the 
house,  and  preparations  began  for  the  return  Journey. 
Murza-Khan,  who  was  accustomed  to  be  waited  on,  left 
to  Djambek  the  responsibility  of  arranging  for  the 
transport  of  his  attendants,  and  chatted  with  Thamar, 
whom  he  had  met  once  or  twice  at  her  uncle's  house. 


40  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

He  also  tried  to  converse  with  the  other  young  ladies, 
but  with  indifferent  success,  as  he  could  only  speak 
Turkish.  But  they  took  pains  to  try  and  understand 
him,  and  to  make  themselves  understood,  for  he  was 
an  interesting  man,  whose  reputation  as  a  nabob  and 
powerful  lord  had  come  to  the  oars  of  even  the  Euro- 
pean residents  of  Batoura.  The  daughter  of  the  Eus- 
sian  consul,  particularly,  took  pains  to  make  known 
her  interest  in  him,  and,  when  she  could  not  find  the 
right  word,  Daria  would  good-naturedly  act  as  inter- 
preter, and  had  to  repeat  several  times  that  Murza- 
Khan  was  exactly  like  the  portrait  of  her  ideal  hero, 
Abdulla-Kader.  At  this  he  would  show  his  white 
teeth,  stroke  his  black  beard  complacently,  while  his 
flashing  eyes,  wandering  from  one  to  the  other,  seemed 
to  say :  "  You  may  all  fall  in  love  with  me  in  turn.  I 
am  very  willing  to  share  my  heart  among  you." 

At  length  the  signal  was  given  to  embark,  and  the 
company  entered  the  boats.  As  the  course  was  now 
down-stream,  the  boats  went  rapidly.  Batoum  might 
be  reached  by  evening.  Some  stops  were  again  made 
at  different  villages,  to  allow  the  elders  to  pay  their 
respects,  and  at  length  the  point  was  reached  where 
the  pasha's  party  was  to  take  the  cutter.  Here  Djam- 
bek  took  leave  of  his  guests,  after  promising  the  pasha 
to  attend  a  festival  which  he  intended  giving  in  return 
for  the  civilities  he  had  received.  The  young  man 
waved  his  white  turban  in  a  parting  salute  as  long  as 
the  cutter  was  in  sight,  and  then  turned  the  bow  of 
his  boat  toward  home. 

Murza-Khan  and  Hassan  Bey  vied  with  each  other 
in  polite  attentions  and  gallant  speeches  to  Thamar,  but 
the  young  girl's  glance  rested  dreamily  on  the  distant 


AN  EXCURSION  AND  INVESTIGATION.         41 

mountains,  and  her  ears  heard  only  detached  phrases 
of  what  they  said  to  her.  It  seemed  to  her  as  if  she 
had  been  torn  away  from  a  sunny  land  of  romance  and 
brought  back  against  her  will  to  the  dull  routine  of 
every-day  life. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

MURZA-KHA]Sr   AND   THAMAR. 

Now  that  the  pasha  had  found  everything  in  good 
order,  the  caimacam  naturally  became  still  bolder  and 
lost  no  opportunity  of  doing  what  he  could  to  spit« 
Djambek. 

Not  far  from  the  young  man's  house  there  was  a 
small  dwelling  which  a  former  female  servant  of 
Djambek's  father  had  received  from  him  as  a  gift. 
She  lived  there  with  her  husband,  and  got  along  very 
well  until  one  day  her  ill  fate  would  have  it  that  her 
husband  fell  seriously  ill  and  afterward  became  a  crip- 
ple. He  was  now  unable  to  earn  means  of  subsistence, 
and  the  poor  woman  found  it  impossible  to  provide  for 
both.  Djambek,  indeed,  was  generous  with  his  help, 
and  also  the  woman's  brother,  although  himself  but 
a  poor  devil  earning  the  meagerest  of  living  as 
muezzin  *  at  a  mosque  in  Batoum,  did  what  he  could 
for  them.  In  spite  of  these  helps  there  were  times 
when  the  couple  lacked  the  necessities  of  life,  for  the 
sick  man  needed  various  medicines,  and  they  were 
dear. 

The  poor  woman  was  too  modest  to  call  on  Djam- 

*  The  caller  to  prayer. 


H'-f^rW ' 


MURZA-KHAN  AND  THAMAE.  43 

bek  for  help,  and  managed  to  exist  for  a  while  on  the 
price  she  got  for  her  little  crop,  sold  in  advance  at 
half  its  worth.  This  was  soon  gone,  and  again  they 
were  in  abject  want,  and  that  too  just  at  the  time  the 
government  taxes  fell  due.  The  tax  collector  notified 
Ali  Bey  of  their  default,  and  he,  knowing  that  the 
two  people  were  proteges  of  Djambek's,  gave  order 
that  they  should  be  turned  out  of  their  house. 

The  poor  woman  was  obliged  now  to  go  for  help 
to  the  son  of  her  old  master,  but,  as  it  happened, 
he  was  at  the  time  on  a  visit  to  a  friend  in  the  mount- 
ains. No  mercy  or  pity  was  to  be  had.  The  caima- 
cam's  order  was  peremptory,  and  the  unhappy  couple 
saw  themselves  thrust  into  the  street,  while  an  individ- 
ual of  bad  repute,  a  tool  of  Ali  Bey's,  took  possession 
of  their  house,  ostensibly  as  keeper  for  the  government. 

Ahmed,  the  muezzin,  on  receiving  the  news  of 
what  had  happened  came  and  offered  to  pay  a  part,  all 
he  could,  of  what  was  due  for  taxes.  But  Ali  Bey 
refused.  The  government  was  not  a  trader  to  accept 
payment  in  little  sums ;  either  all  must  be  paid  or  the 
house  would  be  seized  in  default.     And  so  it  was. 

Fortunately  Djambek  came  back  the  next  day  and 
brought  succor.  A  tenement  of  his  happened  to  be 
vacant,  and  was  at  once  placed  at  the  disposal  of  the 
poor  couple,  rent  free.  Ahmed  could  therefore  go 
home  in  peace,  knowing  that  his  sister  was  provided 
for,  and,  as  he  thanked  Djambek,  with  tears  in  his 
eyes,  he  swore  never  to  forget  his  kindness. 

Ali  Bey  was  not  entirely  pleased  with  the  outcome 
of  this  affair.  He  had  hoped  to  seriously  vex  and  har- 
ass his  opponent,  but  saw  that  his  blow  had  fallen  on 
the  empty  air.  But  he  would  not  so  lightly  leave  the 
4 


'pri 


44  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

victory  with  his  enemy.  So  a  few  days  later  the  old 
woman  received  a  summons  to  attend  and  answer  on  a 
charge  of  unlawfully  carrying  away  certain  articles 
from  the  house.  The  process  did  not  last  long.  It 
was  shown  her  that  she  had  grossly  injured  the  state, 
and  the  end  was  a  sentence  to  prison. 

Djambek,  when  he  heard  what  had  happened,  was 
so  carried  away  with  angry  indignation  that  at  first  he 
thought  of  storming  the  prison  and  rescuing  the  poor 
woman  by  force ;  but  then  he  reflected  that  such  a 
course  could  only  help  his  .protegee  for  the  moment, 
and  he  decided  to  go  direct  to  the  pasha  with  his  com- 
plaint. He  took  an  early  start  the  next  morning,  for 
he  had  other  business  in  Batoum,  and  intended  too  to 
make  a  call  on  Murza-Khan.  The  supercilious  way  in 
which  the  latter  had  spoken  of  the  pasha  had  struck 
Djambek,  and  he  had  come  to  the  thought  that  much 
might  be  done  if  this  influential  man  could  be  won  to 
his  side. 

His  business  in  the  city  was  soon  disposed  of.  He 
also  visited  the  muezzin  to  tell  him  of  the  injustice 
done  his  sister,  and  that  he  was  about  to  lay  the  matter 
before  the  governor.  Then  he  swung  himself  into  his 
saddle  and  turned  his  face  toward  the  north. 

After  a  two  hours'  rapid  ride  he  arrived  at  the 
castle.  Murza-Khan  received  him  warmly,  and  as 
Djambek  had  not  been  there  for  a  long  time,  there 
were  many  new  things  to  see  and  talk  over.  At  last  the 
wished-for  moment  came  when  both  sat  at  their  coffee 
and  smoked.  Murza-Khan,  who  had  been  talking  a 
long  time  on  business  matters,  became  silent,  and 
.^gazed  thoughtfully  out  upon  the  sea.  Djambek  used 
5fee  opportunity  to  speak  of  the  unhappy  state  of  affairs 


MURZA-KHAN  AND  THAMAR.  45 

in  the  conntry,  constantly  becoming  worse,  and  likely 
to  end  in  the  ruin  of  the  land.  He  intimated  that  it 
was  the  duty  of  the  children  of  the  soil  to  attempt  a 
reformation  while  yet  there  was  time,  and  that  this 
could  only  be  done  by  a  bold  union  of  all  their  forces. 

Murza-Khan  shook  his  head.  "  You  are  young," 
he  said,  "  and,  like  all  at  your  age,  think  you  can  take 
the  world  by  storm.  I  am  a  man  of  experience,  my 
good  Djambek,  and  tell  you  that  that  is  not  the  right 
way." 

"  But  we  can  try,  and  much  depends  on  who  is  at 
the  head  of  the  movement.  A  man  like  you,  for  ex- 
ample." 

"  No,  no  !  "  cried  Murza-Kkan,  with  a  gesture  of 
refusal.  "I  feel  no  inclination  to  attempt  bringing 
about  a  new  order  of  things  with  weapons  in  my 
hands." 

"  Who  speaks  of  weapons  ?  I  believe  your  personal 
influence  is  enough  to  compel  the  attention  of  the 
officials." 

"  There  you  are  in  error.  Do  you  know  what  is 
the  best  means  of  making  these  good  people  like  clay 
in  your  hand  ?  Money.  Throw  a  handful  into  their 
laps  and  they  are  your  most  devoted  servants,  but  come 
to  them  with  soft  words  and  they  will  laugh  in  your 
face.  I  can  do  here  as  I  please,  because  at  the  proper 
times  I  convince  the  caimacam  and  his  band  with 
clinking  arguments.  It  is,  as  a  matter  of  fact,  a  tax 
like  any  other,  and  I  find  it  is  one  that  it  is  profitable 
to  pay.  Why  should  I  then  stir  up  strife  when  I  have 
nothing  to  complain  of?  Follow  my  example,  my 
friend.  Ali  Bey  is  doubtless  as  approachable  as  the 
honest  and  honorable  Osman  here.    You  will  soon  see 


-■:-.j-y^^fs^ 


46  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

that  everything  goes  as  you  wish.  It  is  just  as  it  is  in 
Nature.  Go  up  the  Adjaria  and  it  will  cost  you  much 
time  and  exertion  to  reach  your  goal ;  perhaps  even 
your  strength  will  give  out ;  but  let  yourself  be  carried 
down  stream,  and  you  can  let  your  hands  lie  in  your 
lap  and  enjoy  the  beauty  of  the  scenery." 

"  I  thought  from  your  manner  recently  that  you 
were  dissatisfied  with  Cherif- Pasha  and  his  troop." 

"  Dissatisfied  ?  I  despise  the  whole  lot,  that  is  all. 
Cherif- Pasha  is  a  lazy  bear,  who  looks  on  his  present 
position  as  a  post  where  he  can  comfortably  rest.  He 
wishes  to  be  friends  with  everybody  and  at  the  same 
time  get  his  profit.  As  to  the  thieves  below  him,  I  have 
told  you  what  is  the  best  way  of  getting  along  with 
them.  It  is  the  only  way  to  live  in  peace  and  quiet- 
ness." 

"  I  am  sorry  you  have  such  views.  In  your  position 
it  would  be  easy  to  do  the  land  a  great  service.  A 
word  from  you,  and  your  adherents  in  this  district 
would  flock  to  you  to  lend  their  weight  to  your  de- 
mands, while  at  the  same  time  I  would  engage  myself 
to  bring  my  lands-people  to  your  side." 

"  As  I  have  told  you  there  is  no  reason  for  doing 
so.  Why  should  I  disturb  myself  for  other  people, 
and  that,  too,  in  a  hazardous  matter.  As  long  as  no 
one  injures  me  I  have  no  need  to  injure  others." 

Djambek  saw  that  it  was  useless  to  seek  for  an 
ally  here,  so  he  let  the  subject  drop,  and  soon  after 
took  his  leave. 

Much  depressed  at  his  ill  success,  he  rode  back  to 
the  city,  pondering  on  what  Murza-Khan  had  said. 
Perhaps  he  is  right,  he  thought:  It  is  always  a 
hazardous  business  to  oppose  those  in  power.    Indeed 


•Myj^ 


MURZA-KHAN  AND  THAMAR.  47 

he  had  not  thought  of  any  resort  to  force.  He  had 
only  intended  the  use  of  moral  influences  on  those  in 
authority,  not  to  resort  to  weapons.  He  felt  no  per- 
sonal enmity  toward  Cherif-Pasha ;  on  the  contrary, 
since  this  visit  he  felt  drawn  toward  the  man,  although 
he  had  so  slyly  avoided  his  responsibilities  instead  of 
going  to  the  root  of  the  matter  and  redressing  the 
evils  as  he  had  promised  to  do.  Yes,  if  Cherif- 
Pasha  had  no  relative,  or  if  his  relative  were  not  so 
charming  and  lovable,  then,  perhaps — ^he  interrupted 
his  reverie  for  a  moment.  Had  then  Thamar  made  so 
deep  an  impression  on  him?  He  hardly  knew; 
only  knew  that  he  often  thought  with  a  strange 
m'e  in  his  heart  of  the  day  he  had  passed  in  he: 
ety,  and  that  he  was  very  far  from  wishing  any  e 
the  old  man  who  had  been  so  friendly  to  him  then.  In 
how  far  the  young  lady  was  responsible  for  his  friendly 
feeling  toward  her  uncle,  he  could  not  clearly  determine. 

He  soon  reached  the  city,  and  first  going  to  Arts- 
chil's  house  he  got  him  to  accompany  him  to  the 
pasha's. 

Guests  had  already  arrived  in  considerable  num- 
bers,  and  he  had  to  content  himself  with  saying  to 
Thamar  only  a  few  words  of  formal  greeting  as  she 
stood  the  center  of  a  little  circle.  It  appeared  to 
him  as  if  there  were  a  shadow  of  trouble  on  her  beau- 
tiful face,  which  vanished  as  he  approached,  and  then 
quickly  came  back  again. 

Cherif-Pasha  at  once  discovered  him  among  the 
other  guests  and  called  him  to  him.  This  seemed  to 
him  a  good  opportunity  for  bringing  forward  his  com- 
plaints, and  after  the  first  words  of  greeting,  he 
plunged  at  once  into  the  matter. 


-.•;'  '■f-V,iW7:-yw^-y7'M^'''^!wWv:' 


48  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

The  governor  at  first  could  only  answer  with  a 
"hm-hm."  Finally  he  said,  "My  dear  friend,  the 
law  prescribes  what  an  oflficial  has  to  do.  I  will  not 
deny  that  it  depends  much  on  the  good  or  evil  will  of 
the  official  as  to  whether  he  will  carry  out  the  law  in 
its  fullest  severity.  But  that  is  his  own  prerogative, 
and  I  have  no  influence  in  the  matter.  I  am  sure  if 
you  had  gone  to  Ali  Bey  and  spoken  a  few  friendly 
words  to  him  he  would  have  tempered  justice  with 
mercy.  And,  any  way,  I  advise  you  again  to  be  on  a 
more  friendly  footing  with  him.  It  is  very  unpleasant 
when  you  live  in  the  same  district  to  have  such 
ned  relations  with  each  other.  Disputes  and 
les  are  sure  to  follow  in  which  I  can  not  inter- 
ere.  Only  think,  what  would  be  the  result  if  I  should 
always  be  mixing  in  the  caimacam's  business  and 
championing  the  cause  of  every  private  individual." 

"  I  thought  you  might  make  an  exception  in  this 
case.     The  poor  people  stand  very  near  to  me,  and — " 

"  Well,  well,"  interrupted  the  pasha,  "  we  will  see 
what  can  be  done,  only  let  us  not  spoil  the  pleasure 
of  this  pleasant  evening.  Rest  easy ;  I  will  let  Ali 
Bey  know  what  my  wishes  are.  You  find  me  to- 
night in  good  humor — your  petition  shall  find  favor." 
And  he  hurried  away  to  greet  a  new  comer. 

Djambek  was  satisfied  with  the  governor's  promise. 
He  again  approached  the  place  where  Thamar  stood, 
but  contented  himself  with  watching  her,  as  she  was 
still  surrounded  by  a  group  of  admirers.  The  milk- 
white  robe  she  wore  to-night  made  her  slender  figure 
look  almost  tall.  Her  bearing  and  movements  were 
those  of  a  queen  giving  audience  to  her  subjects,  but 
with  it  all  there  was  something  so  kindly  and  winning 


^  '  ►  -     '  '    ">'  .  ■  .  . 

MURZA-KHAN  AND  THAMAR.  49 

in  her  ways  as  to  draw  all  hearts  to  her.  But  for  the 
second  time  Djambek  noticed  that  it  seemed  to  re- 
quire an  effort  for  her  to  smile,  and  an  expression  of 
anxiety  fell  upon  the  comers  of  her  pretty  mouth  when 
she  thought  herself  unobserved.  What  was  it  that 
troubled  her  ?  he  asked  himself.  It  could  hardly  be  a 
family  disagreement,  for  Oherif- Pasha  had  just  ex- 
pressed himself  as  being  in  excellent  spirits ;  it  was 
doubtless  some  trouble  from  outside  and  one  which 
she  had  confided  to  none  of  her  intimates. 

"  Why  so  preoccupied  ?  "  said  a  voice  near  him.  It 
was  Daria  who  had  approached  him  and  was  following 
the  direction  of  his  eyes. 

"  I  was  thinking  that — that — there  are  a  good 
many  guests  here  to-night." 

"  Keally !  Were  you  not  just  for  a  moment  think- 
ing of  something  else,  too  ?  " 

"  I  do  not  know." 

"  For  example — that  Thamar  is,  if  possible,  more 
beautiful  than  ever  ?  "  she  continued  with  a  smile. 

A  flush  passed  over  his  cheeks. 

"  You  know  that  in  our  country  such  thoughts  are 
not  allowed — to  be  spoken." 

"  But  to  have  them  is  allowed,  as  may  be  judged 
from  your  answer.  I  did  not  know  that  you  are  so 
conscientious  an  Oriental.  On  the  contrary  it  has  ap- 
peared to  me  as  if  you  have  more  taste  for  the  Occi- 
dental idea  which  sees  nothing  wrong  in  one's  owning 
to  his  admiration  of  beauty." 

"  True !  if  you  will  promise  to  take  my  freedom  in 
good  part,  I  will  permit  myself  to  reproduce  an  Ori- 
ental picture  in  the  Occidental  manner."  He  made  a 
gesture  toward  Thamar.    "  There,  a  white  lily — here, 


50  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

a  pomegranate  flower  ;  happy  the  hands  that  may 
pluck  them ! " 

**  At  least  that  is  more  prettily  said  than  Russudan*s 
comparison.  She  thinks  Thamar  very  much  like  a 
ghost  and  me  like  a  boiled  crab." 

"  /  tell  you  you  are  both  most  charming." 

"Thank  you.  You  would  make  your  mark  in  a 
French  salon.  But  now  go  and  say  a  few  friendly 
words  to  Thamar.  I  believe  you  have  not  even  said 
good  evening  to  her." 

"  Do  you  think  that  she  has  any  desire  that  I 
should?"  said  Djambek,  casting  a  glance  where  Hassan 
Bey  was  engaged  in  a  lively  conversation  with  the 
young  girl. 

Daria  shot  a  glance  at  him  from  beneath  her  eye- 
lids. "  Ungrateful  man !  "  she  exclaimed,  and  turned 
hastily  away. 

This  expression  started  a  new  train  of  thought  in 
Djambek's  mind.  What  hidden  meaning  was  there  in 
the  words  ?  As  Thamar's  intimate  friend  she  must 
have  some  reason  for  accusing  him  of  ingratitude. 
"  Ungrateful ! "  He  could  think  of  but  one  meaning, 
and  that  made  his  heart  beat  like  a  trip-hammer.  He 
could  not  remain  in  these  crowded  rooms.  He  needed 
the  fresh,  cool  air  which  came  from  the  sea.  He  looked 
again  toward  where  Thamar  had  been  standing,  but 
could  not  see  her.  Probably  she  had  gone  with  some 
of  the  guests  into  the  refreshment  room. 

A  pale  moonlight  hung  over  the  landscape.  Grass- 
plot  and  grove  shimmered  in  a  gray-green  light.  In 
the  distance  the  forest-clad  hills  were  covered  with  a 
light  mist  that  rolled  up  from  the  low-lands,  or  seemed 
to  shrink  back  into  the  blackness  beyond.    A  delicate 


MURZA-KHAN  AND  THAMAR.  51 

perfume  filled  the  air,  renewed  by  every  breeze  that 
softly  swept  over  the  blooming  arbors.  No  other 
sound  was  heard  but  the  regular  beat  of  the  waves  on 
the  beach  below. 

Djambek  took  a  path  which  led  to  a  point  where 
the  view  was  finest.  Here  there  was  an  open  grass- 
plot  around  a  group  of  magnolia  trees.  As  he  came 
out  of  the  shadow  of  the  trees  he  saw  a  white  figure 
sitting  on  a  bank  beneath  the  fragrant  trees.  His  first 
impulse  was  to  turn  back,  but  something  seemed  to 
draw  him  on  and  he  could  not  resist.  Daria*s  excla- 
mation was  in  his  mind.  Perhaps  now  chance  had  giv- 
en him  the  opportunity  to  learn  its  meaning. 

Was  she  asleep  ?  Her  head  rested  on  her  hand  and 
her  eyes  were  closed.  A  twig  broke  beneath  his  feet 
and  the  sound  aroused  her.  She  started  up  in  agita- 
tion, then  sank  back  again  as  she  recognized  who  it 
was. 

"  Forgive  me  for  disturbing  you,"  he  said  softly. 
"  You  were  so  surrounded  with  your  guests  that  I 
waited  in  vain  for  an  opportunity  of  speaking  to  you." 

"  Yes,  it  has  been  a  tiresome  evening,"  she  said, 
"  and  especially  so  as  I  did  not  feel  in  the  humor  for 
lively  talking." 

"  Then  I  was  right  in  thinking  that  something  is 
troubling  you." 

"  You  noticed  it  ?  And  I  thought  I  was  a  good 
actress !  Then  you  probably  know  the  reason,  as  I  saw 
you  speaking  to  my  uncle." 

"  No,  he  said  nothing  about  it.  I  remember  he 
spoke  of  being  in  particular  good  spirits,  but  that — " 

"  Then  I  will  be  myself  the  herald  of  the  joyful 
news — I  am  engaged  to  be  married." 

LIBRARY 
UNIVERSnYOFttUMOB 


j- "  '^'^fJI'BSfl! 


52  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

"  You — engaged  to  be  married  ! " 

She  nodded,  and  her  yoice  trembled  with  excite- 
ment. 

"  Yes,  my  uncle  has  arranged  the  matter — just  as  if 
it  concerned  the  selling  of  a  good  horse." 

"  And  who  is  the  person  with  whom  they  have — 
been  bargaining  about  you  ?  " 

"Hassan  Bey." 

"  I  thought  so,"  cried  Djambek  bitterly.  "  It  was 
not  without  reason  that  a  voice  within  me  whispered, 
'  In  this  man  you  will  one  day  find  your  worst  enemy.' " 

A  glad  smile  which  she  could  not  conceal  passed 
over  her  face  at  these  words,  and  the  glance  she  flashed 
at  Djambek  revealed  to  him  clearly  the  meaning  of 
Daria's  exclamation.  "  Thamar ! "  came  trembling  from 
his  lips,  but  it  was  all  he  could  say.  He  sank  at  her 
feet  and  grasped  her  hands  whose  answering  pressure 
told  him  more  than  any  words  could  have  done. 

For  a  long  time  neither  spoke,  while  a  dark  figure 
that  stood  in  the  shadow  gazed  at  them  curiously  and 
then  noiselessly  vanished  among  the  trees. 

"  I  must  go  now,"  she  said  suddenly  ;  "  if  we  were 
seen  here  it  would  bring  heavy  misfortune  on  us  both. 
Let  me  go,  dearest.  To  you,  you  alone,  shall  my  heart 
belong."  She  sprang  hastily  up  and  gently  disengaged 
her  hand.    "  Farewell,  dear." 

As  if  lost  in  a  dream,  Djambek  gazed  after  the 
bright  figure  which  glided  over  the  turf  and  in  the 
moonlight  seemed  like  a  being  from  the  fairy  world. 
He  wished  to  cry  after  her  to  return,  not  to  leave  him 
yet ;  he  wished  to  tell  her  how  happy,  how  blessed  this 
moment  had  made  him,  to  talk  with  her  of  what  they 
should  do  now — how  they  should  demean  themselves 


I 


^^.jt^^W^l^Tf-^ 


MURZA-KHAN  AND  THAMAR.  53 

before  others  to  ward  off  the  threatening  evil  and 
counteract  her  uncle's  plans — these  and  many  other 
thoughts  filled  his  brain,  but  his  tongue  cleaved  to  his 
mouth,  and  when  at  length  he  uttered  her  name  she 
was  gone. 


-^  V  -     ■=»'.. ajs^rrr^^-X'^'T'^SflT'ii^^^;'*^ 


CHAPTER  V. 

ELISBA   AND   ALI   BEY. 

A  FEW  days  later  Djambek  again  went  to  Batoum. 
He  had  returned  home  after  the  festival  to  collect  him- 
self and  quietly  think  how  he  could  bring  it  about 
that  Cherif- Pasha  might  relinquish  his  plans  regard- 
ing Thamar.  But  these  quiet  thoughts  would  not 
come.  There  was  ever  one  picture  before  his  eyes. 
He  ever  seemed  to  hear  but  the  low  words,  "  To  you, 
you  alone,  shall  my  heart  belong,"  and  so  the  happy 
present  would  always  prevent  any  planning  for  the 
future.  He  had  but  one  wish,  one  thought — to  see  her 
again,  to  hear  again  the  tones  of  her  sweet  voice ;  and 
as  impatience  consumed  him,  he  hurriedly  decided  to 
go  back  to  the  city. 

To  his  unpleasant  surprise,  he  was  told  that  the 
pasha  was  not  at  home.  So  he  went  into  the  city  and 
strolled  about  the  harbor,  as  he  knew  Artschil  was  still 
at  his  bureau.  He  met  several  friends  and  chatted 
with  them  a  while,  and  then  tried  his  foi'tune  again  at 
the  governor's,  but  unsuccessfully.  He  concluded  then 
to  go  to  Artschil's  house  and  wait  for  him  to  come 
home. 

At  length  Artschil  came,  and  Djambek,  who  felt 
the  necessity  of  talking  about  the  beloved  one,  sought 


..^:.-a 


ELISBA    AND  ALI  BEY.  55 

to  bring  the  conversation  round  to  her,  but  his  nncle 
had  not  seen  her  since  that  evening,  and  could  tell  him 
nothing  about  her.  He  related,  on  the  other  hand, 
how  he  had  met  Cherif-Pasha  the  day  before,  and  how 
^  the  governor  was  in  a  most  disagreeable  temper,  and 
^  without  any  apparent  reason  had  launched  into  a  fierce 
cd  diatribe  against  women,  declaring  they  were  only  cre- 
jQ  ated  to  bring  dissension  and  trouble  into  households. 
'Jj  This  bit  of  information  made  Djambek's  heart  beat 

Q  quicker.  He  concluded  from  it  that  Thamar  had  had 
a  talk  with  her  uncle,  and  declared  her  determination 
never  to  marry  Hassan  Bey.  That  was  surely  a  long 
Q_  step.  It  might  be  hoped  that  in  time  Cherif-Pasha 
d  would  abandon  his  idea,  and  then,  perhaps,  some  day 
Djambek  might  try  his  fortune.  What  was  there,  in- 
deed, to  be  said  against  him  ?  Hassan  Bey  occupied  a 
I  high  position,  and  had  the  prospect  of  a  brilliant  ca- 
reer before  him ;  still,  Djambek  was  in  nowise  behind 
his  rival.  Was  not  his  family  one  of  the  oldest  and 
g-  best  in  the  land  ?  Did  he  not  own  wide  domains  which 
"^  offered  every  possibility  for  the  playing  of  a  promi- 
,^  nent  role  f  Why,  then,  should  not  Cherif-Pasha  bid 
0,  him  welcome  ?  There  was  to  his  mind  but  one  answer 
to  these  questions,  but  he  might  have  put  them  even  to 
himseK  with  less  confidence  had  he  suspected  the  pow- 
erful reasons  which  bound  the  pasha  to  the  cause  of 
his  rival.  It  would  be  no  Joking  matter  if  the  story 
of  certain  embezzlements  came  to  the  ears  of  those  in 
authority  at  Stamboul — and  as  Hassan  Bey  was  the 
only  person  who  in  some  inexplicable  way  had  obtained 
knowledge  of  these  shady  matters,  the  simplest  way  to 
preserve  the  secret  was  to  make  him  a  member  of  the 
family,  and  then — carry  on  the  affairs  in  partnership. 


n 


C 

i: 
a: 


CV 


CO 


56  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

As  this  was  the  evening  for  the  pasha's  weekly  re- 
ception, Djambek  determined  to  attend ;  perhaps  he 
might  find  an  opportunity  for  a  word  with  her  of 
whom  he  dreamed  day  and  night. 

His  reception  by  the  governor  was  a  chilling  one — 
a  bare  nod  of  the  head  was  the  only  greeting  he  re- 
ceived— ^no  jokes,  no  amiable  grimaces,  as  was  usually 
the  case.  Djambek  felt  at  once  that  matters  stood 
differently  from  what  he  had  supposed.  Thamar  was 
nowhere  to  be  seen.  Daria  seemed  anxious  to  avoid 
him  whenever  he  approached  near  her.  He  was  just 
thinking  of  leaving  so  inhospitable  a  house  when  he 
heard  his  name  called  in  a  low  tone.  He  looked  in 
the  direction  whence  the  voice  came,  and  quietly  ap- 
proached the  side  of  the  veranda,  which  was  thickly 
screened  with  orange  and  lemon  trees.  There  he 
heard  Daria's  voice. 

"  Stay  where  you  are — you  must  under  no  condi- 
tions be  seen  with  me,"  she  whispered  from  behind  the 
thick  branches. 

"  Is  Thamar  ill  ?  "  he  asked  in  a  low  tone. 

"  No ;  but  she  dare  not  leave  her  room.  Some  one 
has  been  listening  to  you  two,  and  that  is  the  reason 
for  to-day's  icy  coldness.  If  you  want  to  know  who 
has  been  playing  the  spy,  you  can  see  him  in  the  house ; 
he  is  playing  chess  with  Hassan  Bey.  Enough  for  to- 
night ;  we  might  be  overheard." 

"  One  thing  more,"  pleaded  Djambek.  "  How 
can  I  obtain  news  in  future?  According  to  what 
you  say,  the  house  will  be  closed  to  me  here- 
after." 

"  I  know  of  no  one  whom  we  can  take  into  confi- 
dence.   So  you  can  only  be  patient." 


BLISBA  AND  ALI  BEY.  67 

"  But  just  a  word  now  and  then — only  the  simple 
word*  She  is  weir?" 

"  There  is  no  way.  All  I  can  promise  is  to  let  you 
know  if  any  danger  threatens.  But  how  and  through 
whom?" 

"  Perhaps  through  my  relative  Artschil.  No,  he 
is  too  timid."  He  stopped  a  moment  to  think  over 
his  acquaintances.  "  Murza-Khan  ?  "  He,  too,  would 
not  do.  After  what  he  had  said  there  was  no  assist- 
ance in  this  matter  to  be  looked  for  from  him. 

"  Well  ? "  asked  Daria  impatiently.  "  Quick,  I 
hear  voices." 

An  idea  came  to  him. 

"  In  the  mosque  by  the  harbor,  the  muezzin  Ahmed ; 
he  is  devoted  to  me." 

"  Very  well.    Go  now." 

He  returned  into  the  house  and  looked  for  the  man 
whom  Daria  had  told  him  was  the  traitor.  Not  far 
from  where  he  stood  he  heard  the  rattle  of  dice,  and 
with  a  quick  glance  he  recognized  the  man  who  was 
playing  with  Hassan  Bey.  "  Totia !  the  miserable 
wretch ! "  he  muttered,  clenching  his  fists.  Then  he 
turned  and  left  the  house  without  taking  leave  of 
any  one. 

He  went  directly  to  Ahmed.  Next  to  the  slender 
minaret  stood  the  humble  dwelling  where  the  prayer- 
singer  lived. 

"  What,  is  it  you  ?  "  cried  Ahmed,  in  surprise,  as 
Djambek  entered  ;  "  you  bring  me  good  news,  do  you 
not?" 

"  From  your  sister  ?  No,  neither  concerning  her 
nor  myself.  I  too  have  fallen  under  the  pasha's  dis- 
pleasure.    He  promised  me,  it  is  true,  to  give  orders 


'•~^'f'-'~  •^■M\'>-pff!W^f^^^^^}^^^-^?'^JfP^-^^^l;- 


58  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

for  your  sister's  release,  but  as  yet  he  has  done  noth- 
ing, and  now  I  am  afraid  my  interference  in  any  one's 
behalf  will  work  more  harm  than  good.  But  she  will, 
at  the  worst,  be  free  in  a  week,  and  in  the  mean  time 
her  husband  is  well  taken  care  of.  And  she  shall  be, 
also." 

"  I  thank  you.  You  have  already  done  more  than 
a  merciful  man  is  bound  to  do ;  we  are  deep  in  your 
debt." 

"  It  is  not  worth  talking  about ;  but  if  you  really 
feel  under  obligation  to  me,  you  can  perhaps  do  me  a 
service  in  return.  Such  debts  rest  heavily  on  good 
men's  hearts,  so  possibly  you  will  be  happy  to  remove 
them." 

"  I  could  have  no  greater  pleasure." 

"  Listen,  then.  Word  will  be  sent  you  verbally,  or 
by  letter,  concerning  one  who  is  dearer  to  me  than  all 
the  world  besides.  This  word  I  beg  you  will  send  to 
me  at  once  by  a  swift  messenger." 

"Is that  all?" 

"  All !  do  not  think  it  is  a  small  matter.  There 
may  be  danger  connected  with  it.  So  you  must  be 
cautious.  And  do  not  forget  that  upon  the  immediate 
forwarding  of  this  news  may  depend  my  life's  happi- 
ness. So  be  careful;  high  personages  are  concerned 
in  it." 

"  Have  no  fear.  Lazar,  who  comes  every  week 
from  Skalta  with  fruit,  is  a  trustworthy  fellow,  and,  if 
the  matter  presses,  I  know  some  one  here  whom  it  will 
be  safe  to  trust." 

"  I  thank  you,  Ahmed.  Be  assured  I  will  repay 
your  services." 

"  To  make  me  again  your  debtor  ?  " 


ELISBA  AND  ALI  BEY.  59 

Djambek  pressed  the  muezzin's  hand  and  left  the 
house.  He  determined  to  pass  the  night  at  Artschil's, 
and  return  home  early  the  next  morning. 

A  whole  week  passed  without  any  news,  and  his 
impatience  and  anxiety  kept  him  in  a  fever  of  excite- 
ment. Elisba,  his  friend  and  neighbor,  whose  wed- 
ding he  had  attended  with  his  guests,  said  to  him  one 
day  as  he  met  him :  "  Is  there  anything  I  can  do  for 
you  in  the  city  ?  I  am  going  there  to-day,  and  will 
return  to-morrow." 

Djambek  would  gladly  have  given  him  a  commis- 
sion which  lay  very  near  his  heart,  but  how  should  he 
put  it  so  as  not  to  excite  suspicion,  and  without  ex- 
posing the  person  from  whom  he  so  longed  to  hear. 

"  If  you  find  time,"  he  said  at  length,  hesitatingly, 
"  to  call  at  the  harbor  mosque  and  inquire  after  Ah- 
med ?  It  is  only  to  see  whether  he  has  any  news  for 
me." 

"  It  is  well.  I  will  not  forget  it.  Have  you  heard 
the  latest?" 

Djambek  shook  his  head. 

"  I  learned  yesterday  that  the  caimacam  had  de- 
clared that  the  finest  part  of  my  estate  belonged  to  the 
government.  That  is  why  I  am  going  to  Batoum, 
though  he  has  never  ventured  to  say  any  such  thing  in 
my  presence." 

"Nonsense!"  said  Djambek,  "he  might  as  well 
claim  that  my  house  belonged  to  him." 

"  Well,  I  always  find  that  caution  never  harms.  I 
will  get  an  official  declaration  of  my  title  to  the  land. 
It  is  just  that  part  that  my  father  purchased  from  the 
government,  but  I  can  find  no  papers  referring  to  it, 
and  I  think  it  best  to  at  once  have  the  matter  put  in 
6 


;  *  i5-     V'    ^  -^-^  *-?^  )^J*-'J  "'X-'^^'ft:^  ^5^''-«!S^C 


60  DJAMBBE,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

order,  while  there  are  witnesses  of  the  transaction  still 
living." 

"  You  are  right,  perhaps,  to  be  on  the  safe  side,  but 
it  is  hardly  credible  that  the  caimacam  would  attempt 
a  thing  so  sure  to  fail." 

"  He  has  already  done  incredible  things.  We  shall 
see.    I  will  not  forget  your  commission." 

The  next  afternoon  Elisba  returned. 

"  It  is  tiresome  business  having  anything  to  do  with 
the  authorities,"  he  grumbled  ;  "  I  thought  it  would  be 
sufficient  if  I  represented  the  facts  to  the  pasha.  But  far 
from  it.  He  told  me  that  the  right  and  legal  way  was 
first  to  institute  an  inquiry  with  the  authorities  of  this 
district ;  and  when  I  gave  him  to  understand  that  I 
had  reasons  why  I  wished  to  have  nothing  to  do  with 
Ali  Bey,  he  could  only  advise  me  to  get  a  lawyer  and 
have  him  take  the  necessary  steps  with  the  caimacam. 
I  had  half  a  mind  to  tell  the  good  man  that  there  must 
be  something  wanting  with  his  good  sense  if  he  failed 
to  see  that  it  was  impossible  for  me  to  get  my  rights 
from  the  very  man  who  was  disputing  them.  But  what 
good  would  that  do  ?  Perhaps  there  was  more  ill-will 
than  stupidity  in  what  he  said.  So  I  left  him  and 
went  to  Artschil.  He  went  with  me  at  once  to  see  if 
there  were  any  papers  referring  to  the  case  among  the 
official  documents.  But,  think  of  it !  Three  rooms 
full  of  official  papers  from  top  to  bottom  !  It  was  too 
much  to  think  of  looking  through  them  all,  one  by 
one,  and  so  1  found  myself  obliged  to  employ  a  man  to 
find  the  document,  if  indeed  it  exists.  I  can  only 
reckon  on  its  taking  several  weeks,  and  then,  possibly, 
I  shall  learn  that  there  is  nothing  there  referring  to 
my  matters." 


:.A 


'^^■■:. 


ELISBA  AND  ALI  BEY.  61 

«  That  is  very  annoying  certainly,"  said  Djambek. 
"  but  that  is  the  way  things  are  with  us.  Instead  of 
the  officials  feeling  that  they  are  appointed  to  assist 
and  aid  those  at  whose  cost  they  live,  the  case  is  re- 
versed, and  they  imagine  we  are  here  for  the  purpose 
of  being  humiliated  and  worked  by  them.  *  A  world 
upside  down,'  my  dear  Elisba." 

**  I  saw  Ahmed  as  you  wished  me  to,  but  he  had  no 
news  for  you.  He  received  me  very  coolly  and  in 
answer  to  my  question  said  he  did  not  know  what 
there  was  to  tell  you  of." 

"  So  ?  "  said  Djambek,  unpleasantly  impressed. 

Had  Ahmed  perhaps  thought  it  over  and  concluded 
it  would  be  better  for  him  not  to  mix  in  an  affair  which 
was  attended  with  danger?  But  no,  Djambek  could 
not  but  believe  that  it  was  more  probably  caution  on 
the  muezzin's  part;  he  could  not  know  whether  Elisba 
was  really  acting  in  Djambek's  service  or  in  that  of  his 
enemy. 

"And  you  heard  nothing  new  of  interest?"  Djam- 
bek asked,  after  a  long  pause. 

"Nothing  of  special  interest.  For  want  of  any- 
thing better  the  people  in  the  city  are  gossiping  about 
Cherif-Pasha  suddenly  becoming  less  hospitable  than 
he  used  to  be.  Formerly  his  house  was  open  to  every- 
body, but  now  he  receives  only  a  few  particularly  inti- 
mate friends.  They  assign  all  manner  of  reasons,  but 
it  is  generally  supposed  that  he  has  received  a  hint 
from  Constantinople  that  it  would  "be  better  for  him 
to  more  closely  observe  the  Mohammedan  law." 

Djambek  knew  that  the  reasons  were  far  different, 
but  he  refrained  from  contradicting  the  general  opinion. 
His  friend  took  his  departure  and  left  him  to  his  own 


..-.;;■.      .:      ■    f: 

^  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

thoughts,  which  were  not  of  the  most  agreeable  nature. 
At  a  late  hour  that  evening  Lazar  was  announced — 
the  man  whom  Ahmed  had  indicated  as  being  a  trust- 
worthy messenger. 

In  deep  agitation  Djambek  hurried  down  to  see 
him. 

"  I  have  brought  something  for  you,  sir." 

Djambek  eagerly  took  the  packet  and  handed  the 
messenger  a  piece  of  money. 

"  When  do  you  return  to  the  city,"  he  asked. 

"  The  first  of  next  week." 

"  Are  you  prepared  to  go  earlier  in  case  I  wish  to 
send  a  message  ?  " 

«  Certainly." 

"  It  is  well.  In  case  I  do  not  send  you  word,  you 
can  go  at  your  usual  time.  But  do  not  fail  to  inquire 
regularly  at  Ahmed's." 

Djambek  returned  to  the  house  to  open  the  packet. 
In  an  unsigned  letter  was  a  note  which  he  looked  at 
first.    It  contained  but  a  few  words. 

"  Although  shut  out  from  the  outside  world,  it  is 
well  with  me.    I  think  of  thee.  T." 

A  sigh  of  endless  relief  and  delight  came  from  his 
breast,  and  it  was  some  time  before  he  could  lay  aside 
the  note  to  look  at  the  other  paper.  This  too  was  very 
brief : 

"  Inclosed  is  the  expected  news.  This  morning  one 
of  thy  neighbors  came  to  me,  but  I  thought  it  best  to 
answer  him  evasively  as  I  could  not  be  sure  in  what 
character  he  came.  Know  that  for  the  future  I  shall 
only  give  answer  to  him  who  brings  me  a  proof  that 
he  comes  from  thee.  Sendest  thou  therefore  another 
messenger,  let  him  bring  from  thee,  as  a  sign,  one  of 


56>i  ;s 


ELISBA  AND  ALI  BET.  63 

the  silver  cartridges — those  that  thy  father  used  to 
carry." 

The  word  he  had  received  from  Thamar  quieted  him 
for  a  few  days.  He  gave  Lazar  a  letter  for  her  together 
with  a  few  lines  to  Ahmed,  and  to  his  great  joy  the 
messenger  brought  back  another  note  from  her.  From 
this  time  the  exchange  of  letters  became  regular,  and 
little  by  little  Djambek  learned  the  particulars  of 
Totia's  treachery,  the  pasha's  anger,  his  stormy  interview 
with  her,  and  her  firm  reply  that  she  would  never  give 
her  hand  to  Hassan  Bey  in  marriage,  which  led  to  her 
imprisonment  in  her  room.  Kussudan  was  specially 
charged  with  the  duty  of  watching  and  of  seeing  that 
no  one  approached  her.  At  first  Thamar  had  laughed 
over  the  whole  "  real  Turkish  affair,"  as  she  called  it, 
and  found  that  this  little  adventure  was  not  without 
its  charm.  But  now  that  she  had  been  shut  up  for 
several  weeks  and  allowed  to  see  no  one  but  Daria,  the 
matter  was  becoming  too  serious  for  a  joke.  The 
spirit  she  had  inherited  from  her  mother  was  aroused, 
and  one  day  she  declared  to  her  guardian  that  she 
was  too  little  a  Turk  to  endure  this  treatment  any 
longer.  Unless  it  was  changed  something  unpleasant 
would  happen.  She  wrote  in  similar  terms  to  Djam- 
bek, and  her  complaints  started  an  idea  which  became 
more  and  more  formulated  until  one  day  he  wrote  to 
her: 

"  If  they  push  matters  too  far,  I  shall  carry  you 
away  by  force.  Then  all  our  troubles  will  be  at  an 
end." 

Her  threats  to  Eussudan  seemed  to  have  an  influ- 
ence,-as  she  next  wrote  to  Djambek  that  she  was  allowed 
to  receive  visits  from  some  of  her  girl  friends  in  the 


I 

6i  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

city.  This  concession  meant  something  certainly,  and 
it  was  to  be  hoped  that  Cherif- Pasha  would  soon  come 
to  a  sensible  view  of  matters. 

Ahmed's  sister  returned  after  her  term  of  imprison- 
ment was  ended  to  find  her  husband  in  sorrowful  cir- 
cumstances. In  spite  of  the  good  nursing  for  which 
Djambek  had  provided,  his  illness  had  taken  a  turn 
for  the  worse,  and  it  was  easy  to  see  that  he  could  not  • 
live  through  the  summer.  The  end,  however,  came 
sooner  than  was  expected. 

Djambek  offered  the  widow  her  option  of  staying 
where  she  was  or  living  at  his  house.  She  chose  the 
latter,  and  undertook  the  domestic  management  of  the 
household.  The  cottage  which  she  had  lived  in  rent 
free  was  rented  to  another  couple,  and  Djambek  in- 
sisted on  her  keeping  the  rent  for  her  own. 

The  days  passed  in  comparative  quiet  now,  and 
Djambek  began  to  be  more  hopeful  that  his  heart's 
wishes  would  be  fulfilled.  Thamar  wrote  that  she 
now  enjoyed  full  freedom,  but  that  her  uncle  received 
but  few  visitors.  The  disputed  question  between  them 
was  never  alluded  to  by  him.  He  spoke  to  her  again 
in  friendly  terms.  Her  chief  grievance  was  that 
Hassan  Bey  spent  nearly  the  whole  day  at  the  house, 
and  constantly  followed  her  about.  Once  she  told  him 
plainly  it  would  be  better  if  he  would  give  up  his  idle 
hopes,  but  he  only  smiled  and  bowed  low  without 
making  any  reply. 

Between  Djambek  and  the  caimacam  there  was  a 
cessation  of  hostilities ;  not  that  the  latter  had  satisfied 
his  vengeance,  but  he  could  find  no  way  in  which  he 
could  materially  injure  him. 

But  this  state  of  quiet  was  not  to  last  long.    One 


^srw;! 


ELISBA  AND  ALI  BEY.  66 

morning  Elisba  came  to  Ms  friend  in  a  state  of  great 
excitement. 

"  Just  think  of  it  1  the  rascal !  the  wretch ! "  he  ex- 
claimed as  soon  as  he  came  in. 

"What  has  happened!  Whom  are  yon  speaking 
of?" 

"  Who  else  could  it  be  but  Ali  Bey  ?  He  now  for- 
mally declares  that  a  part  of  my  estate  belongs  to  the 
goyemment  and  that  I  must  either  give  it  up  or  pay 
rent  for  it.  He  does  not  dare  to  say  it  himself  to  my 
face,  but  his  mudir  brings  me  a  notice  just  as  I  am 
making  arrangements  with  my  tenant  for  renting  it 
another  year." 

"  Do  you  know  what  I  believe?  The  shameless 
rascal  only  wants  to  force  you  to  stop  his  mouth  with 
a  purse." 

"  That  I  would  never  do  for  the  very  reason  that  it 
would  be  tacitly  admitting  that  he  was  in  the  right" 

"  You  are  right.  The  whole  matter  is  an  absurdity 
— a  piece  of  blind  malice  on  the  part  of  Ali  Bey." 

"  But  I  must  beg  you  to  write  to  Artschil  to  press 
the  search  for  the  missing  papers,  for  you  know  our 
position  and  that  wolves  eat  each  other  only  when  they 
have  no  other  prey.  So  long  as  Ali  Bey  here  and 
Cherif- Pasha  in  Batoum  can  make  enough  money  the 
latter  will  leave  the  former  alone  and  give  him  a  free 
hand  to  plunder  as  he  will." 

"  He  dare  not ! "  said  Djambek  firmly.  "  If  he  so 
far  forgets  his  duty  he  must  be  formally  accused  before 
the  Stamboul  authorities.  But  I  will  gladly  do  as  you 
wish,  and  will  at  once  send  word  to  Artschil." 

"  Do  so  and  if  anything  new  occurs  I  will  inform 
you."    The  something  new  was  not  long  to  wait  for. 


66  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

The  very  next  morning  one  of  Elisba's  people  came  to 
Djambek  breathless  with  running. 

"  Quick,  sir,  a  misfortune  has  happened,"  The  man 
was  so  excited  he  could  say  nothing  more  intelligibly, 
and  so  Djambek  hurried  to  see  for  himself  what  had 
occurred.  As  he  came  to  the  gate  of  his  neighbor's 
place,  he  came  upon  a  crowd  of  tenants  and  peasants 
who  were  talking  and  gesticulating  wildly,  while  nearer 
the  house  the  caimacam's  guard  were  seen  standing 
before  the  door  with  weapons  in  their  hands.  With- 
out regarding  the  shouts  of  the  people,  he  rode  up  to 
the  guard. 

"What  is  it?  "he  asked. 

"  What  is  it  ?  "  one  of  the  men  replied.  "  Nothing, 
except  that  a  murder  has  been  committed  here." 

"  Who  has  been  murdered  ?  " 

«  Ali  Bey." 

"Impossible."  Djambek  was  about  to  rush  into 
the  house,  but  the  guards  barred  the  way.  "  Let  me 
in,"  he  cried ;  "  by  what  right  do  you  prevent  me  enter- 
ing the  house  of  my  friend  ?  " 

A  crowd  of  the  peasants  too  now  came  nearer,  their 
numbers  constantly  increasing. 

"  They  wish  to  take  Elisba  prisoner,"  cried  some 
of  them  to  Djambek. 

"  Have  you  any  order  to  do  so  ?  "  he  said,  turning  to 
the  guard.  "  If  not,  then  go  your  way  and  wait  until 
you  get  one.     Now  let  me  pass  or  you  will  regret  it." 

"That  is  right,"  shouted  the  people,  who  had 
come  very  close  to  the  guard  and  placed  their  hands 
threateningly  on  their  daggers,  while  the  caimacam's 
guard  made  ready  their  guns  more  for  defense  than 
attack. 


SfFi^''' 


BLISBA  AND  ALI  BEY.  6T 

"  If  you  dare  bring  on  a  conflict,  it  will  go  hard 
with  you,"  said  Djambek  threateningly. 

"  Yes,  do  it  if  you  dare,"  seconded  the  others.  "  We 
are  tired  of  being  treated  like  dogs.  The  caimacam 
has  got  what  he  long  deserved." 

"  And  now  let  somebody  explain  to  me  all  the  cir- 
cumstances— some  one  of  you,"  said  Djambek,  turning 
to  the  peasants. 

A  number  stepped  forward,  and  one  spoke.  "  As 
you  know,  sir,  I  am  the  man  who  for  many  years  has 
rented  land  belonging  to  Elisba.  Before  me  my  father, 
and  before  him  my  grandfather  were  settled  here. 
The  old  man  is  living  yet,  and  can  prove  that  the  land 
belongs  of  right  to  Elisba.  He  and  some  other  people 
were  present  when  the  purchase  money  was  paid.  He 
has  often  told  how  the  caimacam  who  was  here  said  to 
Elisba's  grandfather,  'I  give  thee  here,  before  wit- 
nesses, the  possession  which  thou  hast  acquired  as  the 
law  provides.  Thy  ownership  extends  to  here,'  and  at 
the  same  time  the  charcoal  baskets  *  were  buried  in  the 
presence  of  witnesses.  Now  yesterday  we  were  going 
to  renew  the  rental  for  another  ten  years,  when  the 
mudir  came  and  in  the  name  of  the  caimacam  forbade 
the  business,  saying  the  land  belonged  to  the  state. 
We  did  not  stop  for  such  nonsense,  but  did  as  we  had 
the  right  to  do.  To-day  Ali  Bey  came  and  command- 
ed me  to  leave  the  premises,  saying,  if  I  did  not  go  he 
would  have  me  removed  by  force  and  put  in  prison. 
I  ran  to  Elisba  to  tell  him  what  was  going  on.  He 
came  back  at  once  with  me.    The  caimacam  would  not 


*  Instead  of  boundary  stones,  baskets  filled  with  charcoal  were 
buried  in  the  earth. 


68  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

let  him  speak,  but  abused  him  with  shameless  words, 
and  as  Elisba  too  at  length  lost  his  patience,  they  got 
into  a  furious  quarrel  until  Ali  Bey  lifted  his  whip  to 
strike  him,  when  Elisba  drew  his  dagger  and  Ali  Bey 
fell." 

"  All  this  happened  on  your  premises  ?  " 

The  man  nodded. 

"  And  what  are  these  men  doing  here  at  Elisba's 
house  ?  " 

"  He  has  fled,  and  they  think  he  has  hidden  here." 

"  I  will  tell  you  something,"  said  Djambek,  turn- 
ing to  the  guard ;  "  it  is  your  duty  to  give  notice  of 
what  has  occurred,  that  Elisba  may  be  brought  to 
answer.  No  one  has  authorized  you  to  besiege  his 
house,  and  I  demand,  therefore,  that  you  leave  the 
passage  free.  We  are  not  in  the  mood  to  endure  illegal 
action,  and  know  how  to  protect  ourselves  against  it" 

"Are  you  prepared  to  give  surety  for  the  mur- 
derer?" said  the  leader  of  the  armed  band.  "Will 
you  be  responsible  with  your  person  that  Elisba  shall 
not  escape  from  the  house  if  we  withdraw  ?  " 

"  No.  I  certainly  will  not.  If  he  intends  to  flee 
I  shall  be  the  last  person  to  hinder  him.  Who  tells 
you,  indeed,  that  he  is  here  ?  You  are  standing  here, 
and  he  is  perhaps  already  in  safety." 

"  We  saw  him  running  through  the  copse- wood  in 
this  direction." 

"  Very  well,  then.  Let  me  go  in  the  house,  and 
see  if  he  is  there.  There  will  be  no  danger  in  that 
for  you.  If  I  find  him  and  he  has  anything  to  say 
I  will  let  you  know  what  it  is." 

The  soldiers  consulted  together  a  moment,  and 
then  the  leader  said : 


TJ^^^^^^^^SI^^'^^^^^W^.-''       ^  .^-.5f^w:»i5^J»- 


ELISBA  AND  ALI  BEY.  69 

"  It  is  true.  Your  going  in  will  not  help  him  to 
escape." 

They  made  way  suflBciently  for  Djambek  to  enter. 
The  door  opened  on  a  slight  pressure,  to  close  again 
immediately  and  be  fastened  with  bolt  and  chain. 

It  was  evident  that  some  one  had  been  listening, 
and  had  opened  the  door  as  soon  as  Djambek  had  ap- 
proached it.  Elisba's  old  servant  Bessarion  received 
him.  Djambek  entered  the  well-known  room.  Elisba 
was  standing  by  the  fire-place,  while  his  young  wife 
had  fallen  at  his  feet,  and  was  sobbing  bitterly.  All 
the  blood  had  left  Elisba's  face,  and  his  hands  played 
nervously  with  the  gun,  which,  cocked  and  primed, 
lay  upon  the  mantel.  The  appearance  of  a  friend 
seemed  to  calm  them ;  at  least  the  woman  ceased  her 
sobbing,  and  her  husband  went  a  few  paces  toward 
Djambek. 

"This  is  a  bad  affair,"  said  Djambek  mournful- 
ly; "I  will  not  reproach  you,  Elisba,  for,  before 
God,  I  would  have  done  the  same  had  I  been  in  your 
place." 

"  And  now  that  the  unhappy  deed  is  done,  I  feel 
the  keenest  remorse.  You  can  witness,  Djambek,  that 
I  never  sought  a  quarrel.    Is  he  dead  ?  " 

"  I  do  not  know.  But  now  is  not  the  time  to  talk 
of  it.  Whether  he  be  living  or  dead,  the  thing  has 
happened,  and  we  must  determine  what  is  to  be  done. 
What  do  you  think?" 

"My  first  thought  was  to  give  myself  up  to  the 
authorities,  but  Eka  begged  me  not  to  do  so.  She  was 
sure  that  it  would  be  signing  my  death-warrant." 

"  Hardly  that,  perhaps,  bat  a  heavy  sentence  would 
doubtless  be  the  result." 


'^■*'-'-3g' -•^S' 


70  DJAMBBK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

"  He  must  fly,"  interjected  Eka.  "  His  only  hope 
is  in  flight." 

"  But  the  house  is  closely  guarded,  and  the  guards 
can  not  be  induced  to  withdraw.  It  is  true  we  are  the 
stronger  party,  but  it  would  only  make  matters  worse 
if—" 

"  No ;  no  more  lives  must  be  hazarded  on  my  ac- 
count. I  would  rather  give  myself  up  on  the  spot," 
said  Elisba. 

Djambek  was  silent.  He  was  considering  how  a 
plan  for  escape  might  be  put  in  action.  At  length  he 
seemed  to  have  decided  on  a  way.  He  drew  the  couple 
close  to  him  and  told  them  his  plan  in  whispers. 

"  It  will  be  for  you  to  arrange  matters  here  inside 
the  house,"  he  then  said  in  a  somewhat  louder  tone. 
"  I  and  my  friends  will  wait  with  the  horses  by  the 
large  linden  tree  in  Deer  Forest.    You  understand  ?  " 

Both  nodded,  and  Djambek,  pressing  their  hands, 
departed. 

"  Elisba  is  in  the  house,"  he  said,  as  he  came  out. 
"  He  agrees  with  me,  however,  and  says  he  will  only 
give  himself  up  to  those  who  have  an  order  of  arrest 
for  him.  You  see,  therefore,  that  it  will  be  simpler  if 
you  give  the  formal  notice,  and  get  full  powers  from 
your  superiors." 

"  The  mudir  will  not  return  from  Batoum  until  to- 
morrow," said  the  leader  of  the  guard.  "  Before  that 
the  murderer  might  be  the  other  side  of  the  mountain." 

Djambek  shrugged  his  shoulders. 

"  I  can  give  you  no  better  advice,"  he  said. 

"  We  will  arrange  it  so,"  said  the  police  oflBcer. 
"  One  of  my  men  shall  go  to  obtain  the  order,  and 
in  the  mean  time  the  rest  of  us  will  guard  the  house." 


ELISBA  AND  ALI  BEY.  71 


"  It  might  be  well  for  you,  first  of  all,  to  look  after 
your  caimacam." 

"  It  has  been  done." 

"Is  he  alive?" 

"  He  lives,  but  is  wholly  unconscious." 

The  leader  spoke  to  his  men,  and  one  of  them  vol- 
unteered to  go  to  Batoum.  The  other  seven  took  up 
their  positions  so  that  each  side  of  the  building  could 
be  watched. 

Murmurs  again  began  to  be  heard  among  the  peas- 
ants. "  They  act  just  as  if  they  were  on  a  bear  hunt," 
cried  the  tenant.  "  Come  on,  men,  let  us  show  them 
that  Elisba  shall  not  be  caught  in  a  trap  so  long  as  we 
have  arms  to  help  him  out." 

Djambek  now  stepped  forward  and  addressed  his 
fellow  lands-men. 

"  Elisba  prays  you  not  to  bring  on  a  conflict  on  his 
account.  You  will  make  his  situation  worse  if  you  do 
so,  and  bring  down  the  vengeance  of  the  mighty  on 
yourselves."  Then  he  added  in  a  low  voice  to  the 
tenant.  "  I  shall  want  you  with  me  in  an  hour.  Your 
help  is  needed  elsewhere. — So,"  he  continued  again 
in  a  loud  tone,  "  let  us  go  now.  The  messenger  can 
not  return  before  morning,  and  we  will  then  be  here 
to  see  what  can  be  done." 

"  And  suppose  while  we  are  away  they  break  into 
the  house  ?  "  said  one  of  the  peasants. 

"  They  won't  be  so  reckless  as  to  do  that.  Elisba 
and  his  servants  are  on  their  guard  and  will  repulse 
any  such  attempt." 

Djambek  mounted  his  horse,  and  at  a  sign  from 
the  tenant,  the  peasants  slowly  left  the  premises. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

A   LESSON   Ilf  TURKISH   JURISPRUDEifCE. 

Toward  midnight  Djambek  left  the  house  in 
company  with  the  tenant  Yordane  and  a  number  of 
his  people.  The  party  took  horses,  and  going  a  round- 
about way,  so  as  to  not  alarm  the  villagei-s,  proceeded 
to  the  rendezvous.  On  the  way  Djambek  said  to  the 
tenant : 

"  I  fear  that  this  affair  will  have  serious  results  for 
Elisba.  In  case  the  caimacam  dies,  the  sentence  is 
sure  to  be  a  severe  one,  and  if  Elisba  succeeds  in  escap- 
ing, they  will  seek  satisfaction  from  those  connected 
with  him.  You  must  make  it  your  business  to-morrow 
to  see  that  his  wife  is  taken  to  some  place  where  she 
will  be  safe." 

"  I  see  other  things  coming,"  said  Yordane,  the 
tenant.  "  They  may  let  Elisba  go  free  and  seize  his 
goods,  and  I  shall  lose  my  farm." 

"  It  is  very  possible ;  I  had  not  thought  of  that." 

"  Well,  we  shall  see,"  said  Yordane  with  a  sigh. 

An  hour's  ride  brought  them  to  the  large  linden 
tree.  Djambek  himself  picked  out  the  strongest  horse, 
saw  that  his  saddle  was  firmly  fastened,  and  tied  him 
loosely  to  a  tree. 

The  night  was  not  particularly  clear,  but  the  guard 


\ 


A  LESSON  IN  TURKISH  JURISPRUDENCE.     73 

around  Elisba's  house  could  plainly  see  all  sides  of  it. 
On  each  of  the  three  sides  two  men  were  stationed, 
while  on  the  fourth  there  was  but  one.  This  latter,  to 
pass  the  time,  was  smoking  one  pipe  after  another  and 
humming  a  song  which  he  had  gone  through  at  least 
a  hundred  times.  At  length  drowsiness  almost  over- 
came him,  and  he  had  to  make  strong  efforts  in  order 
to  keep  his  eyelids  open. 

He  had  just  fallen  into  one  of  these  spells  of  sleep- 
iness, which,  in  spite  of  himself,  would  at  times  over- 
come him,  when  a  slight  noise  aroused  him,  and  his 
first  glance  fell  on  the  house,  whence  a  grating  sound 
proceeded.  He  saw  at  once  that  one  of  the  windows  in 
the  upper  story  had  been  opened,  and  could  see  a  fig- 
ure standing  there.  He  cocked  his  gun  and  made 
ready  to  fire. 

For  a  moment  the  figure  quietly  stood  at  the  win- 
dow, as  if  considering  what  was  best  to  be  done,  while 
the  guard  kept  his  eyes  fixed  upon  it,  waiting  for  a 
decisive  step.  It  came.  The  figure  crawled  out  of 
the  window,  hang  for  a  moment  on  the  ledge,  and  then 
slowly  came  down  by  a  rope  fastened  to  the  window- 
sash.  A  shot  rang  out  in  the  night  air,  and  the  figure 
fell  heavily  into  the  bushes  that  surrounded  the  house. 
The  guard  called  to  his  companions,  who  ran  up  at  the 
sound  of  the  shot,  that  Elisba  was  lying  in  the  bushes 
wounded.  At  the  same  time,  a  door  on  the  other  side 
of  the  house  opened  softly  and  a  figure  sprang  out 
and  swif fly  disappeared  in  the  darkness ;  in  the  mean 
while  the  guard  dragged  the  supposed  corpse  out 
of  the  bushes,  to  find  too  late  that  they  had  been  de- 
ceived by  a  figure  made  of  straw,  dressed  in  Elisba's 
clothes. 


■;KJ!j(^?'''r..i  -    ~    -'.    .,   ...    --r. ■.-,.■•■.--    <•..,.-■:-    /  ^:rv;-\:7:,  ;)ir'''^  J'sSSs'i'?^?^':™  ■     '^■■^•'•■'■'^^^ 


fr^^i 


74  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 


The  captain  of  the  guard  broke  out  in  loud  curses. 
He  saw  at  once  that  the  fugitive  had  used  this  strata- 
gem to  call  off  their  attention  from  the  other  side  of 
the  house,  and  that  he  had  now  doubtless  escaped.  His 
men  hastily  ran  in  different  directions,  to  see  if  there 
were  any  traces  of  the  fugitive,  but  they  were  too  late, 
and  could  only  return  to  the  station  and  report  that 
Elisba  had,  through  flight,  escaped  the  hands  of  justice. 

Before  daylight  Yordane  knocked  at  Elisba's  door, 
after  making  sure  that  the  guard  had  evacuated  the 
premises. 

Bessarion  asked  who  was  there. 

"  I,  Yordane,"  was  the  answer.  "  Quick !  tell  your 
mistress  to  make  ready  at  once  for  a  journey.  Tell 
her  to  take  everything  she  will  need  for  her  person. 
The  carts  will  be  here  soon  to  carry  away  the  rest  of 
the  stuff.  The  hangman's  helpers  shall  find  nothing 
but  empty  walls  when  they  come." 

In  a  little  while  aU  the  jewelry,  plate,  and  valuable 
articles  were  put  into  a  cart,  and  Eka,  mounted  on  a 
horse,  rode  off  under  the  escort  of  Yordane  and  several 
of  the  neighbors.  Three  hours  later  carts  carried  away 
the  rest  of  the  furniture,  and  all  was  still  about  the 
house. 

As  soon  as  he  had  seen  his  friend  in  safety,  D jambek 
went  home,  snatched  a  brief  sleep,  and  at  an  early  hour 
was  in  his  boat,  bound  for  Batoum.  On  arriving  there, 
he  went  at  once  to  Artschil. 

His  uncle  shook  his  head  doubtfully  after  Djambek 
had  related  to  him  all  that  had  occurred. 

"  Elisba  has  tied  a  fine  weight  about  his  neck !  Go 
at  once  to  Serop-Effendi  and  get  him  to  undertake  the 
case.    He  is  a  clever  Armenian  who  has  carried  through 


rrmm^m^f^T  ■•^"-  -*F?e^>^ 


A  LESSON  IN  TURKISH  JUBISPRUDENCK     75 

some  doubtful  cases.  Perhaps  he  can  get  Elisba  out  of 
the  net.  But  do  not  forget  that  Serop  is  a  very  soul- 
seller  for  money.  If  you  want  his  services  you  must 
put  a  roll  of  money  in  his  hand  before  you  say  any- 
thing." 

Djambek  first  went  to  the  man  who  acted  as  his 
banker,  and  then  hui-ried  to  the  lawyer's  residence. 
Remembering  his  uncle's  caution,  he  placed  a  roll  of 
gold  on  a  side-table  as  he  entered,  and  the  result  was 
immediate.  Serop-Effendi,  who  had  regarded  him 
rather  mistrustfully  on  his  entrance,  at  once  sprang  up 
and  greeted  him  as  if  he  had  been  his  warmest  friend. 

"  Why,  how  glad  I  am  to  see  you  ! "  he  cried.  "  You 
were  only  a  boy  when  I  saw  you  with  your  father — you 
are  the  son  of — hm,  hm — " 

"  Yes,  the  son  of  Dimitri  Tagniridza;"  said 
Djambek,  to  help  him  out ;  for  he  knew  the  lawyer 
had  never  seen  him  or  his  father. 

"Yes,  yes,  a  fine  man,  Tagniridza;  he  is  still 
living?" 

"  No,  he  has  been  dead  a  long  time." 

"  Is  it  possible  ?  Such  a  fine  man !  You  see,  my  dear 
Demetr— " 

"  Djambek,"  corrected  the  other. 

"I  meant  to  say  Djambek.  You  see,  my  dear 
Djambek,  I  see  so  many  people  that  I  can't  always  tell 
at  once  who  is  who.  It  is  very  good  of  you  to  come  to 
see  me.  Perhaps  you  want  my  services.  Command 
me,  I  pray  you."  Djambek  related  the  particulars  of 
Elisba's  case,  and  the  lawyer  listened  attentively. 
Then,  Serop-EfEendi  took  a  sheet  of  paper  on  which 
he  wrote  several  names,  and  opposite  each  name  some 
figures. 


■  T:'^-  ■5>-;7sf?^4»v' 


76  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

"  So ! "  he  said,  after  a  little  calculation, "  the  affair 
will  cost  your  friend,  outside  of  my  fees,  about  twenty 
thousand  piasters." 

"What?"  exclaimed  Djarabek,  in  astonishment. 
"  I  hardly  understand." 

The  other  playfully  shook  his  finger  at  him.  "  You 
understand  very  well.  You  know  well  enough  that 
everything  here  costs  money.  Your  friend  has  killed 
or  half  killed  the  caimacam.  That  is  a  serious  crime, 
and  involves  a  heavy  punishment,  unless  there  are 
mitigating  circumstances.  Now,  you  know,  that  by 
nature  men  are  not  inclined  to  be  merciful.  One 
must  assist  them  artificially  to  be  kind,  and  the  surest 
method  is  to  use  money.  We  have  six  judges,  includ- 
ing the  president  of  the  tribunal.  Beckoning  each  at 
two  thousand  piasters,  a  low  figure,  makes  twelve  thou- 
sand. Then  there  are  two  secretaries  at  five  hundred 
each,  makes  thirteen  thousand.  In  addition,  there  is 
Cherif -Pasha,  that  he  may  say  a  good  word,  and  several 
subordinates — " 

"  Enough — "  interrupted  D jambek,  "  I  will  have 
nothing  to  do  with  bribery.  Simply  say  what  your 
services  will  cost." 

"  I  can  not  tell  that  with  certainty  now.  Perhaps, 
however,  I  might  give  you  an  estimate."  He  made  a 
few  figures,  and  then  continued :  "  Something  like  fif- 
teen thousand  piasters,  with  the  understanding,  how- 
ever, that  at  those  figures  I  can  not  guarantee  success." 

Djambek  shrugged  his  shoulders — 

"  Then  we  had  better  let  the  matter  be,"  he  said. 

"As  you  please,"  replied  the  other  indifferently. 
"  If  your  friend  estimates  his  neck  as  not  worth  fifteen 
thousand  piasters,  I  can  have  nothing  to  say." 


A  LESSON  IN  TURKISH  JURISPRUDENCE.     77 

Djambek,  leaving  the  money  on  the  table,  took  his 
leave.  "  That  is  the  waj"  justice  is  dispensed,"  he  mut- 
tered bitterly.  "Such  people  dare  to  sit  over  us  in 
judgment,  and  decide  matters  of  life  and  death ;  and 
to  such  miserable  wretches  we  must  bow  in  defer- 
ence. Shame  on  such  a  government !  shame  on  such 
a  society ! " 

He  was  still  in  a  rage  as  he  entered  ArtschiPs  house 
again. 

"  I  will  have  nothing  to  do  with  this  Serop,  nor 
with  these  courts!  Where  one  has  to  pay  men  for 
doing  right  there  can  be  no  hope  of  justice,"  he 
said. 

"  I  understand,"  said  Artschil  "  what  you  refer  to. 
But  Serop-EfEendi  carries  it  too  far.  I,  too,  have  in 
my  official  capacity,  to  decide  what  is  right,  and  no 
one  can  say  I  was  ever  induced  by  a  bribe  to  act  con- 
trary to  my  convictions." 

"  With  you  it  is  different.  You  do  not  belong  to 
this  brood ;  in  your  veins  j0[ows  Georgian  blood." 

"  And  there  are  others  here  like  me,  who  know  how 
to  distinguish  between  right  and  wrong ;  not  many,  it 
is  true,"  he  added  sorrowfully,  "  but  enough  to  give  us 
hope  that  Elisba  will  not  be  betrayed  and  sold." 

"  Then  that  lawyer  deceived  me  shamefully ! " 

"  In  part,  perhaps.     How  much  did  he  ask?  " 

"  Fifteen  thousand  piasters." 

"Then  he  intended  to  take  the  lion's  share  for 
himself.  We  must  take  some  other  course.  After 
you  left,  I  thought  of  a  young  man  who  has  recently 
come  from  Trebizonde.    We  will  try  him." 

They  accordingly  visited  the  young  lawyer  together, 
and  after  a  short  discussion,  he  agreed  to  undertake 


:-  :rn.J«53!^>-^i™??5l5''!!r;>!!>J;»~! 


78  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

the  case,  and  Djambek  returned  home  feeling  more 
satisfied. 

Ali  Bey  lived,  and  it  was  hoped  that  his  wounds 
would  be  healed.  This  made  the  case  less  serious,  but 
there  was  always  the  doubt  how  the  judges  would  con- 
sider it ;  whether  they  would  take  the  view  that  the 
caimacam  had  gone  to  the  other  in  his  private  or  in 
official  capacity,  and  whether  the  deed  was  one  of  self- 
defense  or  of  attempted  assassination. 

By  order  of  the  mudir  a  detachment  of  soldiers  had 
gone  to  Elisba's  house  to  take  possession  of  it  in  satis- 
faction of  the  crime,  the  criminal  having  fled.  A  few 
days  later  Djambek  heard  that  the  government  had 
offered  a  reward  for  the  capture  of  the  fugitive.  This 
increased  the  gravity  of  the  situation,  and  Djambek 
went  to  Batoum  to  consult  with  Artschil.  Both 
agreed  that  Elisba  had  done  wrong  in  fleeing. 

"  There  is  no  justice  for  one  that  is  absent,  is  a 
true  proverb,"  said  Artschil.  The  lawyer  also  told 
Djambek  that  Elisba's  absence  worked  much  to  his 
prejudice,  as  his  enemies  could  give  what  version  they 
pleased  of  the  affair,  and  there  was  no  one  to  contra- 
dict them.  Eor  example,  the  caimacam,  who  was  im- 
proving, stated  that  the  assault  on  him  was  entirely 
unprovoked,  and  had  followed  from  his  merely  saying 
that  he  could  not  allow  the  state's  interest  to  be  in- 
jured. The  guards,  too,  had  declared  that  they  had 
been  threatened,  and  they  pointed  out  Yordane,  the 
tenant,  as  the  leader  of  a  mob.  It  was  therefore 
resolved  to  imprison  him.  Further,  Djambek  heard 
that  Elisba's  property  was  to  be  confiscated.  In  fine, 
matters  could  not  be  worse. 

But  his  duty  to  his  friend  led  Djambek  to  make 


A  LESSON  IN  TURKISH  JURISPRUDENCE.     79 

one  more  attempt  in  his  favor,  though  he  hoped  for 
little  good  from  it.  He  went  to  see  Cherif -Pasha.  As 
he  had  always  been  accustomed  to  go  and  come  as  he 
pleased  in  the  hospitable  house  he  intimated  to  the 
servant  that  it  was  not  necessary  to  announce  him, 
fearing  that  the  pasha  might  refuse  to  see  him.  The 
servant  replied  that  his  orders  were  to  first  inform  his 
master  who  it  was  that  desired  to  speak  to  him. 
Djambek  could  therefore  but  wait.  The  answer  was 
as  he  had  feared — the  pasha  was  too  busy  to  receive 
visitors. 

Djambek  drew  a  gold  piece  from  his  pocket. 

"  Could  one  meet  your  master  when  he  takes  his 
customary  evening  walk  ?  "  he  asked. 

"  If  you  come  to  the  eastern  gate  after  sunset,  you 
will  find  it  open,"  replied  the  servant  as  he  pocketed 
the  money. 

The  sun  was  just  setting  as  Djambek  returned. 
He  found  the  garden  gate  open.  He  entered,  and 
walked  up  one  of  the  deeply  shaded  paths.  As  he 
turned  a  corner,  he  uttered  an  exclamation  of  surprise, 
which  was  immediately  echoed.  He  stood  opposite 
Thamar. 

"  You ! "  came  from  the  lips  of  both. 

"Quick,  this  way,."  she  said,  and  hastened  up  a 
by-path.  Djambek  followed  her,  scarcely  able  to  re- 
strain his  joy.  A  few  steps  brought  them  to  a  grotto 
shaded  with  vines,  and  there  Thamar  fell  upon  his 
breast. 

"  Oh,  dearest,  how  blessed  I  am  to  see  you  again ! " 
He  covered  her  face  with  kisses  and  clasped  her  close 
in  his  arms. 

"  If  only  this  moment  were  longer,"  she  sighed. 


..    "f.- T-W' 


80  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 


"I  can  stay  but  a  few  minutes — the  danger  is  too 
great." 

"For  you?" 

"  For  us  both." 

"  Then  I  must  not  stay.  Were  only  my  own  safety 
concerned  I  would  gladly  pay  for  each  moment  with 
a  drop  of  my  heart's  blood." 

"  Speak  not  so.  We  must  hope  that  fate  will  give 
us  many  hours,  days,  years  of  happiness." 

"  Tell  me,  Thamar,  how  do  they  treat  you  now  ? 
Conceal  nothing,  dearest,  and  remember  that  I  am 
ready  at  any  moment  to  free  you  from  the  hands  of  your 
jailors.    What  an  opportunity  for  that  this  would  be  I " 

"  No.  All  I  have  to  complain  of  is  that  I  can  not 
see  you,"  she  replied,  and  then  she  asked  him  regard- 
ing the  Elisba  affair,  in  which  she  felt  a  warm  interest, 
as  it  was  his  marriage  she  had  attended  with  Djambek 
and  the  other  friends  at  the  time  of  the  pasha's  visit. 
He  told  her  all  that  had  happened,  the  unfortunate 
position  of  the  poor  wife,  and  how  he  had  come  there 
that  day  to  see  Cherif-Pasha  in  his  friend's  behalf. 
Then  they  talked  of  themselves,  their  love,  their  hopes, 
as  only  lovers  can,  until  Djambek  suddenly  bethought 
him  that  if  he  would  do  his  friend  the  service  he  in- 
tended, he  must  go,  hard  as  it  was  for  him  to  leave 
her  whom  he  could  see  so  seldom  and  loved  so  dearly. 
With  a  passionate  embrace  and  lingering  kisses,  he 
bade  her  good-by  and  hurried  away.  He  bent  his 
steps  toward  the  magnolia  trees,  where  Thamar  had 
told  him  he  would  find  Cherif-Pasha. 

Cherif-Pasha  sat  alone  under  the  trees.  His  chin 
was  resting  on  his  hand  and  he  seemed  absorbed  in 
thought. 


A  LESSON  IN  TURKISH  JURISPRUDENCE.     81 

It  was  only  when  Djambek  stood  before  him  that 
he  looked  up.  As  the  pasha  recognized  him  he  started 
as  if  in  fright  and  looked  toward  the  house  as  if  for 
help. 

"  What  do  you  want  here? "he  said  in  an  unsteady 
voice. 

"  In  former  times  I  was  received  differently,"  re- 
joined the  young  man.  "  Then  it  was  not, '  What  do 
you  want  here  ? '  but '  Welcome,  friend.' " 

"  The  times  change,"  answered  the  pasha  in  tones 
which  betrayed  his  uneasiness.  "  It  is  not  my  fault 
if  feelings  of  friendship  have  given  place  to  others." 

"  I  am  unconscious  of  having  injured  or  offended 
you.  But  it  is  another  matter  that  brings  me  here  to- 
day.   I  come  to  ask  justice  at  your  hands." 

"  Speak — I  am  ready  to  hear  you."  The  pasha  arose 
and  moved  toward  the  house,  Djambek  walking  at  his 
side. 

"  It  would  be  a  waste  of  time  if  I  told  you  how  Ali 
Bey  managed  that  time  to  mislead  you  and  turn  your 
visit  to  his  own  advantage.  But  this  I  must  say  to 
you — ^he  is  a  hard,  unjust,  corrupt  man ;  one  who  op- 
presses the  land  and  drives  the  people  desperate,  as  in 
this  last  case  in  which  my  friend  Elisba  Alichwari 
unfortunately  played  a  role  which  has  led  you  to  take 
legal  steps  against  him." 

Cherif-Pasha  seemed  to  listen  attentively,  but  at 
the  same  time  walked  rapidly.  The  house  was  now  in 
sight,  and  this  gave  him  more  courage,  for  at  first  he 
had  feared  an  attempt  upon  his  life. 

"  I  could  not,  if  I  wished,  interfere  in  the  case," 
he  said.  "  The  matter  devolves  solely  upon  the  court, 
which  must  decide  the  man's  guilt  or  innocence." 


82  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

"  But  I  know  that  you  have  the  deciding  yoice  in 
the  matter.  Permit  me,  therefore,  to  briefly  state  the 
true  facts  in  the  case." 

"  You  are  misinformed.  The  laws  prescribe  what 
is  to  be  done  in  each  case,  and  my  voice  can  have  no 
influence  for  or  against  the  accused." 

"  You  do  not  understand  me.  It  is  true  the  law 
provides  what  shall  be  the  punishment  in  each  case. 
But  in  a  case  of  murder,  for  instance,  it  depends  on 
the  judges  whether  they  will  take  into  consideration 
any  mitigating  circumstances  under  which  one  man 
has  killed  another.  As  in  war — is  not  this  murder 
by  wholesale  ?  and  yet  the  law  does  not  so  regard  it." 

"  We  will  not  go  into  the  discussion  of  such  sub- 
jects," returned  the  pasha  wearily.  In  front  of  the 
house  Totia  could  be  seen  in  company  with  Hassan  Bey, 
and  the  pasha's  confidence  increased. 

"  Then  you  do  not  wish  that  I  should  give  you  the 
opportunity  of  doing  justice  ?  " 

The  pasha  shrugged  his  shoulders ;  "  I  have  told 
you,"  he  said,  "  that  this  is  a  matter  beyond  my  juris- 
diction and  that  I  have  no  right  to  interfere  in  any 
matters  pertaining  to  the  courts." 

"  Have  no  right !  "  repeated  Djambek  irritably;  "  as 
if  one  did  not  know  that  the  Vali  Pasha  can  exert  his 
influence  in  any  and  every  thing  if  he  chooses !  I  de- 
mand nothing  from  you  but  justice.  I  ask  but  one 
favor — if  it  can  be  called  a  favor — a  thorough  investi- 
gation of  the  case.  Thus  far  you  have  heard  but  one 
side,  and  that  the  side  whose  interests  it  is  to  injure 
Elisba  as  much  as  possible.  The  case  has  been  entirely 
misstated  to  you.  My  friend,  who  is  the  most  peacea- 
ble of  men,  must  appear  to  you  as  a  savage  bloodhound 


A  LESSON  IN  TURKISH  JURISPRUDENCE.     88 

to  whom  a  man's  life  is  as  nothing.  But  that  is  not  so. 
It  was  not  against  your  representative,  the  caimacam, 
but  against  the  private  individual  Ali  Bey,  who  would 
rob  him,  that  he  was  striving  to  protect  his  rights. 
And  you  know  what  it  means  when  one  raises  his  hand 
to  strike  a  free  man.  Have  I  not  a  right  in  such  a  case 
to  prevent  the  blow  with  any  means  at  my  command  ? 
Would  you  do  otherwise  if  I  now  said  to  you, '  The 
half  of  your  land  is  mine ;  you  must  give  it  up '  ?  And 
if  when  you  indignantly  repudiated  such  a  claim  I 
should  threaten  you  with  bodily  harm,  what  would  you 
do?" 

"  You  forget  that  I  do  not  stand  on  the  same  level 
as  your  friend.  In  a  certain  degree,  I  am  placed  above 
the  law,  while  you  must  defer  to  it.  It  was  Elisba's 
right  to  justify  his  case  before  the  court,  but  not  to 
make  it  more  doubtful  by  an  attempt  at  murder. 
Furthermore,  he  has  sought  to  escape  his  responsibility 
through  flight,  and  the  law  takes  cognizance  of  that 
You  people  may  always  demand  your  rights,  but  no 
more.  I  find  that  you  are  altogether  too  fond  of  imag- 
ining that  you  can  play  the  master  in  everything. 
But  I  must  leave  you,  for  I  have  business  to  attend 
to." 

"  Then  nothing  will  induce  you  to  provide  against 
a  miscarriage  of  justice? " 

The  pasha  shook  his  head.  "You  have  said 
enough,"  he  said  sharply. 

Djambek  raised  his  hand  wamingly.  "  Mark  this 
well,  Cherif-Pasha.  If  one  day  my  oppressed,  mis- 
treated people  rise  against  their  oppressors,  against 
your  brood  of  blood-sucking  officials,  the  responsibility 
will  be  upon  your  head !  " 


'•   ■i'*sl?T'3  ^ ' 


84  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

"  We  shall  know  how  to  protect  ourselves,"  returned 
the  other  in  mocking  tones.  "  My  good  Djambek,  you 
were  always  a  dreamer.  You  have  that  to  thank  that 
I  do  not  take  your  boyish  threats  in  earnest.  My  for- 
bearance is  great,  and  I  consider  it  the  duty  of  hospi- 
tality to  let  you  leave  my  grounds  in  peace,  though  I 
did  not  invite  you  to  come  and  shall  not  hereafter. 
But  I  tell  you  now  in  all  earnestness — go !  In  a  few 
minutes  I  might  repent  leaving  your  threatening 
words  unpunished." 

Totia  and  Hassan  Bey  were  now  near  by  and  ex- 
changed mocking  glances  as  Djambek  hurried  by  them 
to  leave  the  premises  of  the  pasha — an  enemy. 


•:ea?s?,'- 


CHAPTER  yil. 

A  TURKISH  TRIAL. 

"  You  took  hold  of  the  matter  from  the  wrong 
end,"  said  Artschil,  when  Djambek  had  told  him  of 
his  unsuccessful  call.  "  Do  you  know  who  is  now 
really  the  pasha,  the  one  who  has  the  charge  of  all 
matters  in  and  outside  the  house,  and  whose  influence 
it  is  all  important  to  have  ?  " 

"Hassan  Bey?" 

"  Not  at  all.  It  is  a  much  more  humble  individual 
— Totia  Nitscheladze." 

"  Are  you  sure  of  that  ?  I  can  not  believe  that  the 
fellow  who  a  short  time  ago  was  only  an  inferior  scribe 
should  suddenly  have  acquired  such  influence." 

"  Nevertheless,  it  is  so.  I  know  it  for  a  certainty. 
Cherif -Pasha  becomes  lazier  every  day — ^his  physician 
assured  me  recently  it  was  a  disease  with  him — he 
finds  it  much  more  comfortable  to  have  another  do 
his  thinking  and  acting  for  him.  Hassan  Bey,  too, 
likes  to  be  spared  work,  and  so  it  has  been  easy  for 
Totia  to  creep  in,  and,  beginning  with  small  things, 
get  to  greater.  Who  wishes  anything  from  the  pasha 
must  first  knock  at  Totia's  door.  Of  course  it  costs 
money,  but  at  least  one  can  now  accomplish  some- 
thing, where  before  it  depended  entirely  on  the 
pasha's  promise." 


- '  ':'^,^v^K^  »^'- T?  'y**  '"Tspvrsf 


86  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

Djambek  sliook  his  head. 

"  I  will  not  buy  the  services  of  that  fellow.  I  have 
reasons  why  I  should  keep  away  from  him." 

"  If  you  do  not  wish  to  treat  with  him  personally 
Elisba's  lawyer  can  try  it." 

"  If  he  pleases.  Only  I  must  not  in  any  way  be 
mixed  up  in  the  matter.  I  would  be  glad  if  you  would 
speak  to  the  lawyer  about  it." 

"  I  would  gladly  do  so  if  it  were  in  keeping  with 
my  official  position.  I  gave  you  the  hint  as  a  relative. 
As  an  official  it  would  be  wrong  for  me  to  do  so  ;  and 
as  such  I  could  not  speak  to  the  lawyer  about  it.  But 
he  knows  all  about  it — unfortunately,  it  is  no  longer 
a  secret.  It  will  be  enough,  therefore,  if  you  simply 
remark  to  him  that  there  is  such  and  such  a  sum  at 
Totia's  disposal." 

"  Very  well.  I  will  do  that.  Elisba  shall  see  that 
all  was  done  on  my  part  that  could  be  done." 

The  lawyer  at  once  understood  the  hint.  He  re- 
marked that  Totia  would  be  satisfied  with  a  compara- 
tively small  sum,  and  promised  to  attend  to  the  matter 
and  inform  Djambek  immediately  of  the  result. 

A  few  days  later  Djambek  received  the  following 
note: 

"  The  person  referred  to  declares  himself  ready  to 
act  in  the  interests  of  our  client,  and  good  news  may 
be  expected  in  a  few  days." 

The  caimacam  had  so  far  recovered  from  his 
wound  as  to  be  able  to  go  to  Batoum  to  push  the  pro- 
cess against  Elisba,  and  thus  still  his  cravings  for  re- 
venge. He,  too,  knew  that  in  such  affairs  the  favor 
of  the  pasha's  favorite  was  an  important  factor,  and 
his  first  visit  was  to  Totia. 


A  TURKISH  TRIAL.  87 

Totia  quietly  allowed  Ali  Bey  to  state  his  case 
without  showing  any  embarrassment.  Then,  when  he 
was  through,  he  said  in  a  sympathizing  tone : 

"  I  fear  the  case  will  not  come  out  as  you  wish. 
Cherif- Pasha  has  been  informed  of  a  good  many  cir- 
cumstances which  make  the  matter  appear  in  another 
light.  Besides  that,  I  must  tell  you  confidentially 
that  there  have  been  a  good  many  complaints  made 
against  you  which  are  likely  to  injure  you  yery 
much." 

The  reply  threw  the  caimacam  into  great  excite- 
ment. 

"  You  really  think  that  Cherif- Pasha  is  hostile  to 
me?"  he  asked  anxiously. 

"  It  can  hardly  be  otherwise  when  you  have  no  one 
here  to  take  your  part.  I,  indeed,  have  tried  to  smooth 
over  some  matters — but  you  understand  how — " 

Ali  Bey  had  already  placed  a  purse  filled  with  gold 
pieces  on  the  table,  and  now,  without  any  ceremony,  he 
put  it  into  Totia's  hand. 

"  One  service  for  another,"  he  said  hastily ;  "  it  is 
possible  for  you  to  do  an  honorable  man  a  service, 
and  as  I  know  your  love  of  justice,  you  will  take  my 
case  into  your  hands.  I  will  call  again  in  a  week,  and 
you  may  be  sure  of  my  gratitude  if  you  have  good  news 
to  give  me." 

Totia  did  not  hesitate  a  moment.  Ali  Bey's  pres- 
ent was  twice  the  amount  which  Elisba's  lawyer  had 
left  on  his  table,  and  besides  there  was  a  good  prospect 
of  its  being  repeated — so  his  resolution  was  quickly 
made. 

"What  depends  on  me  shall  be  done,"  he  said. 
"  Have  no  fear.    I  will  make  your  matter  my  own." 


'S™  !t  '.it^^OT^.''-^  :■■- 


88  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

The  caimacam  had  hardly  gone  when  Totia,  taking 
out  his  ink-horn  and  wooden  pen,  wrote  as  follows  to 
the  lawyer : 

"  After  you  left  me  I  found  a  roll  of  money  which 
you  doubtless  left  here  in  absent-mindedness.  Here  is 
your  property,  which  I  return." 

He  folded  the  note  around  the  money-roll,  and 
gave  it  to  a  servant  to  be  delivered  at  once.  The  next 
news  which  Djambek  received  was  not  favorable. 

"  It  appears  that  our  opponent  has  succeeded  in 
playing  us  a  trick.  The  amount  which  I  had  depos- 
ited for  the  carrying  out  of  our  matter  has  been  sud- 
denly returned  to  me  under  a  meaningless  pretense. 
Shall  I  make  another  attempt  and  bid  higher  ?  The 
trial  commences  next  week." 

Djambek  answered  at  once : 

"  I  have  had  enough  of  this  way  of  seeking  Justice. 
The  process  may  take  its  course.  The  witnesses  here 
have  promised  to  tell  the  full  truth  and  will  appear  in 
large  numbers.  Your  skill  will  perhaps  enable  you  to 
make  it  impossible  for  the  judges  to  give  an  unjust 
decision." 

The  day  for  the  trial  came  and  Djambek,  accompa- 
nied by  a  large  number  of  witnesses  in  Elisba's  behalf, 
went  to  the  city. 

As  he  entered  the  court-room,  he  saw  a  number  of 
his  acquaintances,  and  among  them  Murza-Khan,  who 
had  t^en  a  seat  on  one  of  the  rugs  in  front. 

"  You  are  astonished  to  see  me  here,"  he  whispered 
to  Djambek  with  a  grin.  "  Usually  I  can  find  a  better 
way  of  spending  my  time,  but  this  is  an  exception.  I 
am  curious  to  see  whether  one  of  our  people  can 
hold  his  own  against  the  little  king  of  the  district. 


A  TUBKISH  TRIAL.  ^ 

Or  has  Elisba  perhaps  allowed  himself  to  be  put  to 
some  expense?  In  that  case  I  would  rather  not 
wait." 

"  You  can  stay.  Our  side  has  not  spent  a  piaster, 
though  we  came  near  doing  what  the  others  have 
done." . 

The  judges  now  appeared  and  the  accusation  was 
read. 

The  caimacam  who  was  represented  by  Serop-Ef- 
f endi  answered  the  question  put  to  him  in  a  weak,  low 
voice,  as  if  he  was  still  suffering  from  the  assault. 
This  little  piece  of  acting  had  been  recommended  to 
him  by  his  astute  legal  counsel,  who  smiled  in  satis- 
faction as  he  saw  how  well  his  client  played  the  role 
of  a  sufferer.  He  himself  asked  a  few  questions,  and 
in  doing  so  took  pains  to  have  it  appear  as  if  he 
strongly  insisted  on  the  naked  truth,  and  would  allow 
no  deviation  from  it. 

After  Ali  Bey  had  given  his  testimony  and  sunk 
back  as  if  exhausted  into  his  seat,  Elisba's  witnesses 
were  called.  But  just  then  Serop-Effendi  sprang  up 
and  vigorously  objected. 

"  That  witness  is  dependent  on  the  defendant,"  he 
exclaimed, "  and  so  is  this  one,  and  that  one  there, 
too."  And  he  pointed  out  in  turn  several  of  the  men. 
"  And,  furthermore,  these  fellows  have  dared  to  take  up 
a  hostile  position  toward  the  authorities." 

At  this  cue  the  leader  of  the  caimacam's  guard 
stepped  forward  with  several  of  his  men. 

"  Speak,  what  have  you  to  say,"  said  the  lawyer  to 
him. 

"  It  is  quite  true  that  not  only  these  witnesses,  but 
a  whole  multitude  of  other  peasants  attacked  us,  and 


90  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

threatened  to  use  their  weapons  against  us  if  we  in- 
sisted on  doing  our  duty." 

"  And  did  they  not  go  peacefully  on  their  way  with- 
out disturbing  you  further  ?  "  cried  D jambek,  spring- 
ing up  from  his  seat  in  strong  excitement. 

All  looked  where  the  young  man  stood  regarding 
the  prosecutor  with  blazing  eyes. 

"  Who  dares  interrupt  the  proceedings  of  the 
court?"  demanded  the  president  of  the  tribunal. 
"  Who  are  you,  that  you  presume  to  interfere  ?  " 

"I  am  D jambek  Tagniridza,  Elisba's  friend  and 
neighbor,  and  I  deem  it  my  duty  to  look  after  the 
interests  of  my  absent  friend." 

Artschil,  who  sat  near  the  president,  whispered 
something  to  him,  whereupon  the  latter  asked  in  a 
more  quiet  tone ; 

"  Were  you  present  at  the  time  of  the  assault  ?  " 

"  Not  at  the  moment  when  the  deed  was  done,  but 
I  got  there  in  time  to  quiet  the  people,  and  induced 
them  to  go  home,  as  Elisba  implored  me  not  to  allow 
the  people  to  oppose  the  authorities." 

A  murmur  of  approval  passed  through  the  crowd, 
and  many  made  gestures  of  encouragement  to  D  jambek. 

"Why  did  you  not  announce  yourself  as  a  wit- 
ness?" 

"Because  there  were  so  many  I  thought  it  was 
needless.  But  now  that  their  right  to  speak  is  dis- 
puted I  will  gladly  give  my  testimony." 

"  He  too  threatened  us  at  first,"  said  the  leader  of 
the  guard. 

"  He  too  threatened  you,  did  he,"  said  Serop-Ef- 
fendi  quickly,  "  then  that  makes  him  ineligible  as  a 
witness." 


A  TURKISH  TRIAL.  91 

"  I  threatened  you  in  so  far  as  you  opposed  my 
going  into  the  house,"  rejoined  Djambek.  "When 
you  finally  let  me  in,  and  I  told  the  people  what  Elisba 
requested  of  them,  none  were  so  glad  as  you  that  the 
trouble  ended  peacefully." 

As  the  man  had  nothing  to  say  to  this,  the  presi- 
dent called  on  Djambek  to  relate  all  that  had  taken 
place.  Djambek  hastened  to  tell  all  he  knew  regard- 
ing the  circumstances  leading  up  to  the  assault.  He 
emphasized,  too,  the  fact  of  the  tenants  not  being  de- 
pendent on  Elisba,  except  in  so  far  as  the  latter  had 
the  right  after  expiration  of  the  term  to  rent  the  land 
to  some  one  else,  while  during  the  term  of  the  lease 
the  tenant  was  as  little  dependent  on  the  landlord  as 
the  landlord  on  him.  As  therefore  the  lease  had  been 
renewed  before  the  assault  took  place,  he  urged  that 
Serop-Effendi's  objections  to  the  witness  were  not 
well  founded. 

"I  must  earnestly  protest,"  cried  Serop,  rising, 
"  against  one  not  called  in  the  case  taking  part  in  it. 
The  defendant's  attorney  is  here.  And  furthermore  I 
beg  to  again  caU  the  attention  of  the  court  to  the  cir- 
cumstances which  would  seem  to  make  this  witness  in- 
eligible. He  seeks  to  give  the  impression  that  what 
he  did  and  said  was  with  the  simple  purpose  of  pre- 
serving peace  between  the  authorities  and  the  people ; 
but  I  charge  that  it  was  primarily  with  another  in- 
tention, namely,  to  enable  the  accused  to  escape,  and 
also  his  wife,  who  furthermore  emptied  the  house  from 
floor  to  roof.   It  is  certain  that  others  assisted  in  this." 

"  My  client's  wife,  when  she  left  the  house,  was  full 
mistress  of  her  person  and  her  property,"  rejoined 
Elisba's  attorney,  "  and  as  regards  the  defendant's  es- 
7 


'  TiP^ep*'"^*!?'*-"; 


92  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

cape,  there  was  at  that  time  no  order  of  arrest  against 
him." 

"  That  is  a  very  clever  idea,"  replied  Serop-Effendi, 
with  an  evil  smile,  "  hut  it  strikes  me  that  an  innocent 
man  has  no  occasion  to  place  his  person  beyond  the 
reach  of  the  officers  of  justice.  He  has  in  this  ad- 
mitted his  guilt.  But  we  will  not  go  into  fine  distinc- 
tions. That  he  made  an  attempt  on  the  life  of  the  rep- 
resentative of  the  ruler  of  the  province  and,  therefore, 
the  representative  of  our  august  sovereign,  the  padishah, 
is  patent  and  needs  no  further  proof.  Now  the  testi- 
mony of  the  defendant's  witnesses  is  in  my  view  worth- 
less, because  a  tenant  is  just  as  little  free  from  bias  as 
a  servant ;  and  as  to  the  evidence  of  Djambek  Tagni- 
ridza,  he  should  rather  be  held  for  trial  himself,  for  it 
is  a  hundred  to  one  that  he  assisted  in  the  defendant's 
escape." 

Djambek  could  no  longer  control  his  indignation. 
What  I  this  man,  this  purchasable  rascal,  who  had 
declared  himself  ready  for  a  high  reward  to  undertake 
the  cause  of  the  accused  now  earnestly  defending  the 
opponent,  who  had  doubtless  acceded  to  his  mercenary 
demands ! 

"  And  now  I  ask,"  he  cried, "  whether  a  man  should 
be  allowed  to  act  as  attorney  who  offered  to  defend  the 
very  case  which  he  now  attacks,  and  who  assured  me 
of  his  ability  to  obtain  an  acquittal  of  the  accused 
through  bribery  of  the  judges  ?  " 

This  outbreak  did  not  fail  of  effect  upon  the 
judges.  Artschil  sprung  up  and  spoke  with  the 
president  with  excited  gestures,  while  the  other  mem- 
bers of  the  court  whispered  among  themselves.  Serop- 
Effendi  was  the  only  one  who  remained  calm.     He 


^y-f' 


A  TURKISH  TRIAL.  93 

shrugged  his  shoulders  and  smiled  scornfully,  but  as 
he  saw  the  uneasiness  which  prevailed  among  those 
who  had  the  decision  of  his  case,  he  turned  boldly  to 
Djambek  and  said  in  a  loud  voice : 

"  Such  accusations  are  easily  made,  but  they  must 
be  proved." 

"  The  proof  is  my  solemn  word,"  replied  Djam- 
bek. 

"  And  you  call  that  proof !  " 

"  Do  you  deny  that  you  demanded  twenty  thousand 
piasters  to  bribe  the  judges  with  ?  " 

"  I  deny  it." 

"  And  you  did  not  specify  to  me  the  several  sums 
which  would  be  required  for  each  of  the  members 
of  the  court?" 

"No." 

Artschil  suddenly  arose. 

"  I  waive  my  ofl&ce  as  judge  for  to-day  in  order  that 
I  may  appear  as  a  witness.  Djambek  came  to  me  in 
great  anger  directly  after  his  interview  with  Serop- 
Effendi  and  said  he  would  not  accept  his  services  as 
attorney  because  he  had  declared  the  court  to  be  open 
to  bribery,  and  in  fact  had  demanded  the  sum  just 
spoken  of." 

A  tumult  broke  forth  in  the  court  room.  Specta- 
tors, witnesses,  and  officers  of  the  court  shouted  and 
gesticulated  in  wildest  confusion  and  there  were  loud 
cries  of  execration  against  Serop.  At  this  critical  mo- 
ment when  Djambek  was  filled  with  hope,  Cherif-Pasha 
unexpectedly  entered.  He  was  accompanied  by  Totia. 
At  his  entrance  quiet  was  restored,  and  Serop-Effendi 
hurried  forward  to  tell  him  what  had  occurred. 

Cherif-Pasha  hesitated  for  a  moment,  when  Totia 


( f-.7'<»»»'!Fl^ 


94  DJAMBEK,  ^RE  GEORGIAN. 

whispered  something  to  him.  The  high  oflScial  turned 
to  the  judges  and  said : 

"  It  is  not  my  wont  to  interfere  in  court  proceed- 
ings, but  to-day  I  ain  obliged  to  express  my  astonish- 
ment that  a  mere  spectator  should  be  allowed  to  act  in 
the  role  of  an  attorney." 

"  He  has  not  even  announced  himself  as  a  witness 
and  yet  has  been  allowed  to  speak,"  suggested  Serop- 
Effendi  in  a  low  voice. 

"  That  is  contrary  to  the  provisions  of  law,"  con- 
tinued the  pasha.  "  If  every  one  present  was  allowed 
to  express  his  opinion  in  a  case,  there  would  never  be 
an  end  to  the  trial. — I  regret,  Emin  Bey,"  addressing 
the  president  of  the  tribunal,  "  that  I  am  obliged  to 
speak  of  this,  but  you  are  as  well  aware  as  I  am  that 
the  law  must  be  followed  implicitly.  Furthermore, 
I  have  to  say  that  this  troubler  of  the  peace  is  known 
as  a  restless,  and  as  I  have  recently  had  occasion  to 
know,  a  revolutionary  character.  I  warn  you  to-day 
for  the  last  time,"  he  said  to  Djambek  in  a  harsh 
tone  "  that  my  patience  will  soon  be  at  an  end,  and 
that  you  will  have  cause  to  regret  mixing  yourself  in 
matters  that  do  not  concern  you  and  which  you 
make  your  own  simply  to  stir  up  strife  and  dissatis- 
faction. Go  now!  you  have  nothing  further  to  do 
here." 

"  It  is  the  right  of  every  free  man  to  be  present 
here  if  he  chooses." 

"  If  you  talk  much  more  you  will  cease  to  be  a  free 
man." 

Djambek's  friends  crowded  forward  to  make  an 
end  of  the  dangerous  colloquy,  and  almost  by  force 
obliged  him  to  leave  the  room. 


A  TURKISH  TRIAL.  95 

He  scarcely  knew  how  he  reached  the  street,  his 
brain  was  in  such  a  tumult. 

"Come,"  said  Artschil,  taking  him  by  the  arm. 
"  The  case  is  lost.  You  can  do  no  good,  and  will  only 
get  into  serious  difficulties  yourself  by  remaining." 

Djambek  followed  his  relative  mechanically.  He 
looked  about  him  absently,  and  it  was  only  after  he 
had  lain  for  some  time  as  if  stunned  on  the  divan  at 
Artschil's  house  that  all  that  oppressed  his  heart  burst 
forth  in  expressions  of  passionate  indignation  and 
anger. 

Artschil  thought  it  best  to  let  him  go  on  without 
interruption,  and  when  he  had  ceased  his  tirade, 
through  very  exhaustion,  his  uncle  proposed  that  they 
go  out  for  a  sail. 

"  Come,"  he  said,  "  the  sea  air  will  do  you  good." 

Djambek  made  no  objection.  They  hired  a  boat 
and  directed  the  sailor  to  go  in  a  northerly  direction, 
toward  the  ruins  of  the  castle  of  the  great  queen. 
Djambek  remained  silent,  absorbed  in  the  wild  thoughts 
that  possessed  him,  until  they  came  in  sight  of  the 
mighty  ruins,  when  he  let  his  eyes  rest  upon  the  mass- 
ive masonry  which  once  bade  defiance  to  the  enemy 
and  was  thought  to  be  invincible,  but  which  now  lay 
shattered  and  crumbled.  Bushes  and  fig  trees  had 
planted  their  roots  between  the  blocks  of  stone  and 
helped  on  the  work  of  destruction  by  widening  the 
crevices,  as  if  seeking  to  break  their  chains  of  stone 
and  to  obtain  room  to  breathe. 

"  Do  you  not  believe  that  those  olden  times  were 
better,  when  the  mighty  hand  of  the  great  queen  was 
stretched  in  protection  over  our  poor  land?"  said 
Djambek,  at  last  breaking  the  silence. 


96  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

Artschil  shook  his  head. 

"  History  leaves  to  us  only  what  is  good,  and  is  si- 
lent on  the  evil.  The  chroniclers  of  events  dared  not 
write  down  what  those  above  them  would  not  like  to 
hear.  Injustice,  treachery,  corruption,  were  not  rare 
in  those  days." 

"  And  yet  the  records  of  that  time  speak  so  often  of 
a  man's  word  being  something  holy ;  and  of  how  lying 
and  hypocrisy  were  execrated  and  severely  punished." 

"  Just  as  to-day  perjury  is  punished  when  it  is 
proved,"  rejoined  the  other.  "  But  how  many  lies  go 
about  under  the  cloak  of  honesty  simply  because  no 
one  can,  or  no  one  will  tear  off  the  disguise.  The 
whole  world,  I  tell  you,  is  but  a  mighty  lie  !  " 

"  You  are  perhaps  right.  With  a  few  exceptions 
all  men  prefer  attaching  themselves  to  the  evil  rather 
than  to  the  good." 

The  boat  reached  the  land.  The  two  sprang  out. 
They  slowly  walked  up  the  path  thick  grown  with 
weeds  and  shrubs,  which  led  to  the  ruined  castle  on 
the  height  above.  There  they  sat  down  under  a  fig 
tree,  whose  wide-spreading  branches  threw  a  grateful 
shade,  so  that  there  the  grass  grew  thick  and  green. 

The  evening  star  had  just  appeared,  and  the  clouds 
which  had  been  blood  red  were  slowly  changing  their 
color.  At  first  they  glowed  with  a  dark  crimson,  then 
took  on  tints  of  bronze  and  copper,  broken  here  and 
there  by  lines  of  lilac  and  light  blue,  until  the  whole 
horizon  changed  to  a  fading  rose  color.  Then  long 
yellow  rays  stretched  across  the  heavens,  while  a  white 
mist,  half-transparent  and  gleaming  here  and  there 
like  mother-of-pearl,  enshrouded  the  city  in  the  dis- 
tance.   The  rays  became  paler  and  paler,  until  finally 


^fs^ 


A  TURKISH  TRIAL.  97 

they  lost  themselves  in  the  downf  ailing  darkness,  while 
far  in  the  background,  a  few  stars  began  to  twinkle. 

The  two  friends  had  silently  watched  this  approach 
of  night.     Finally  Artschil  arose. 

"  The  world  may  be  ever  so  bad,  but  it  remains 
ever  beautiful,"  he  said  musingly. 

As  they  rowed  back  to  the  city  a  fine  boat  met 
them  and  some  one  waved  his  hand  to  them. 

"  That  is  one  of  Murza-Khan's  boats  and  there  he 
is  himself,"  said  Artschil  returning  the  greeting. 

The  boat  passed  close  to  them. 

"  May  your  night  be  pleasant ! "  cried  the  owner, 
saluting  Djambek  with  an  elaborate  temena.  "  I  still 
think  my  way  of  seeking  justice  the  better ! " 

"  What  did  he  mean  by  that,"  asked  Artschil. 

"  That  money  is  the  best  means  of  obtaining  every- 
thing— even  justice,"  Djambek  replied  with  a  bitter 
smile. 


""^.^^^■"^'SV^T'^V^Igf^^f^. 


CHAPTER   VIII. 

OUTLAWED. 

The  trial  ended  the  same  day ;  the  sentence  was 
ten  years'  imprisonment. 

As  the  defendant  was  still  at  large  the  couri;  or- 
dered that  it  be  proclaimed  throughout  all  parts  of  the 
province  that  Elisba  was  granted  a  term  of  three  weeks 
within  which  to  surrender  himself ;  should  he  fail  to 
present  himself  within  that  time  all  his  property  would 
escheat  to  the  government,  while  every  subject  would 
be  bound  in  duty  to  make  him  prisoner,  or,  in  case  he 
resisted  capture,  to  shoot  him  down. 

This  harsh  sentence  aroused  a  bitter  indignation 
throughout  all  Adjaria.  Many  of  the  people  loudly 
expressed  their  opinions,  and  cared  little  that  the 
caimacam's  petty  officers  noted  down  their  names  to 
be  reported;  while  others  spoke  their  dissatisfaction 
only  among  themselves,  but  were  agreed  with  their 
lands-people  in  thinking  that  the  cup  was  now  full. 
While  formerly  they  had  bowed  to  the  yoke,  and  in 
outward  appearance  had  accepted  the  provisions  of  the 
Mohammedan  law  in  its  relation  to  the  affairs  of  daily 
life,  many  now  took  special  pains  to  glorify  their  ancient 
Georgian  descent,  and  to  declare  openly  that  they  had 
nothing  in  common  with  the  followers  of  the  Prophet. 


OUTLAWED.  99 

All  this,  of  course,  came  to  the  ears  of  the  anthori- 
ties,  but  they  paid  little  attention  to  it.  The  times 
had  gone  when  the  Adjarians  would  risk  their  lives  and 
property  to  defend  their  old  inherited  rights  against 
the  oppressor;  their  weapons  were  now  carried  only 
for  show,  and  only  in  most  exceptional  cases,  as  re- 
cently, drawn  for  action. 

The  rage  of  Yordane  and  Elisba's  other  people 
knew  no  bounds.  They  knew  that  their  patron  was, 
in  any  case,  a  lost  man.  Ten  years  in  prison,  in  the 
best  part  of  a  man's  life,  was  no  better  than  a  sentence 
of  death — and  the  doubtful  freedom  which  he  now  en- 
joyed must  continually  be  imbittered  by  the  knowl- 
edge that  some  day  a  traitor  would  betray  him  to  the 
enemy,  or  send  a  bullet  to  his  heart. 

All  were  agreed  that  Elisba  would  not  surrender 
himself.  Even  if  he  entertained  the  idea,  the  people 
would  not  permit  him  to  carry  it  out.  In  this  they 
were  firmly  agreed,  though  many  would  suffer  through 
him,  for  if  his  estates  were  confiscated  Ali  Bey  would 
see  to  it  that  none  but  those  who  were  his  obedient 
subjects  should  obtain  leases.  Yordane  expected  this 
too,  and*  withdrew  to  relatives  in  the  mountain  to  await 
events. 

Elisba  and  his  wife  had  escaped  to  Georgian  terri- 
tory. The  flight  over  the  highlands  and  the  Achalzich 
Mountains  had  been  a  wearisome  and  diflBcult  one,  so 
that  Eka  fell  ill  from  long-continued  anxiety  and  hard- 
ships. Fortunately,  they  found  relatives  who  wel- 
comed them  gladly,  and  little  by  little  Elisba  accus- 
tomed himself  to  the  idea  of  not  seeing  his  home  again. 

His  chief  anxiety  was  from  his  wife's  illness.  The 
fever  had  lasted  two  weeks,  and  her  situation  was  a 


-.-?■:?;?  '  --'  ' >    ^'^-^i'-''  '     ■    -Try-'  ■■''•i^-r-y-'.-'-i^^ 

100  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

critical  one.  There  was  no  physician  to  be  had,  and 
they  had  to  do  their  best  with  what  medicine  and  ad- 
vice their  neighbors  could  give  them.  But  these  did 
not  avail,  and  after  the  third  week  there  was  no  longer 
hope  that  she  would  recover. 

Djambek  had  determined  to  visit  his  friend,  to  coun- 
sel with  him  as  to  their  plans  for  the  future.  He  was 
accompanied  by  a  number  of  Elisba's  people,  to  whom 
it  was  highly  important  that  they  should  know  what 
their  patron  intended  to  do. 

Weary  with  their  hard  journey  over  the  mountains 
they  arrived  finally  at  the  place  where  Elisba  had  found 
refuge.  As  they  approached  the  house,  cries  of  mourn- 
ing were  suddenly  heard. 

"  Those  are  death  lamentations,"  exclaimed  Djam- 
bek, and  he  put  spurs  to  his  horse,  fearing  that  some 
of  the  police  had  ventured  over  the  boundary  to  mur- 
der the  fugitive.  He  knew  nothing  of  Eka's  illness, 
as  he  had  received  no  reply  to  his  letter,  telling  Elisba 
of  the  result  of  the  trial.  As  he  was  about  to  throw 
himself  from  his  horse,  Elisba  rushed  out,  his  face  dis- 
torted like  a  madman's. 

"  Elisba !  Elisba !    What  has  happened  ?  " 

Elisba  recognized  his  friend,  and  with  a  sobbing 
cry  staggered  toward  him. 

"  Speak,  Elisba !  What  misfortune  has  happened  ? 
Where  is  Eka?" 

The  loud  lamentations  heard  in  the  house  was  the 
answer. 

"  My  poor,  poor  friend ! "  he  cried  in  a  broken 
voice. 

Elisba  sobbed,  unable  to  speak. 

"  Take  courage,"  said  Djambek.    "  Fate  has,  in- 


OUTLAWED.  101 

deed,  dealt  you  blow  upon  blow,  but  it  becomes  a  man 
to  stand  firm,  and,  with  all  his  powers  well  in  hand, 
resist  all  that  Fate  can  do."  He  dismounted  from  his 
horse,  and  taking  his  friend  by  the  hand,  said :  "  Come, 
we  will  go  into  the  forest,  and  you  shall  tell  me  all 
that  has  befallen  you."  Djambek  remained  with  him 
until  after  the  funeral.  He  sought  to  comfort  him, 
and  change  the  gloomy  current  of  his  thoughts,  but 
Elisba  could  talk  only  of  the  dead,  and  his  grief  only 
gave  way  to  boundless  anger — to  oaths  of  vengeance 
on  the  author  of  all  the  misfortune  that  had  so  mer- 
cilessly overwhelmed  him.  Homeless,  alone  in  the 
world,  what  had  he  now  to  hope  for  ?  He  felt  as  if  he 
were  not  worth  the  shot  that  any  betrayer  might  at 
any  moment  fire  upon  him ;  and  yet  he  wished  to  live 
— he  felt  he  must  live.  He  had  sworn  a  solemn  oath 
which  must  be  kept.  He  would  not  attack  from  be- 
hind the  man  whom  he  hated  as  his  bitterest  foe,  his 
destroyer,  but  openly,  face  to  face,  he  would  meet  him, 
give  him  every  opportunity  to  defend  himself,  that  it 
might  not  be  said  that  Elisba  was  an  assassin,  and 
then — one  must  die !  "  He  or  I ! "  he  would  repeat 
whenever  Djambek  sought  to  dissuade  him  from  his 
plans  for  vengeance.  "  I  swore  it  as  I  kneeled  by  her 
dead  body — by  her,  of  whose  death  he  is  guilty,  and  I 
swear  it  to  you,  Djambek,  a  hundred,  a  thousand  times 
over.  My  resolution  is  fixed ;  nothing  can  prevent 
my  carrying  it  out." 

Djambek  returned  home  full  of  sorrow  and  anxiety. 
He  was  accompanied  only  by  his  two  servants,  Yordane 
and  the  others  having  preferred  to  stay  near  their  pa- 
tron. In  them,  too,  the  feeling  of  hatred  had  extin- 
guished all  others.    They  gladly  promised  to  stand  by 


ir>*T»i._(B-^fl 


102  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 


him  and  assist  him  in  whatever  he  might  resolve  to 
do.  He  alone  had  the  right  of  dealing  vengeance — 
vengeance  for  the  Wood  of  the  one  nearest  to  him — 
and  this  old  law,  long  fallen  into  disuse,  suddenly  lived 
again  in  their  hearts.  But  they  would  assist  in  so  far 
as  his  enemy  might  not  be  met  alone  but  under  guard 
of  his  escort  and  then  they  would  have  to  do  with 
them. 

The  thought  of  Thamar  kept  Djambek's  anger  and 
bitterness  of  heart  within  bounds.  Were  it  not  for  this 
he  would  have  turned  his  back  upon  the  land  and  gone 
to  the  neighboring  state  where  the  members  of  his  race 
lived  under  more  peaceful  and  better  ordered  condi- 
tions. But  the  quieting  thought  that  he  was  near  her, 
the  knowledge  that  her  thoughts  were  often  lovingly 
with  him,  made  all  appear  to  him  less  bitter,  less  unbear- 
able, and  had  Cherif- Pasha  to-day  sought  to  undo  his 
injustice  toward  him,  Djambek  would  have  been  the 
first  to  have  implored  Elisba  to  abandon  his  thoughts 
of  vengeance. 

The  term  having  erpired,  Elisba's  property  was 
formally  confiscated.  As  his  house  was  one  of  the 
best  in  that  neighborhood,  Ali  Bey  took  it  for  his  own 
residence.  As  he  had  received  numerous  reports  of 
threatening  talk  among  the  peasants,  he  thought  it 
best  only  to  show  himself  when  accompanied  by  his 
armed  escort,  and  then  he  felt  courage  enough  to  con- 
duct himself  toward  individual  residents  in  a  harsh, 
overbearing  manner.  He  thought  in  this  way  that  he 
would  command  more  fear  and  respect. 

In  former  years,  when  the  harvest  had  been  bad, 
the  authorities  had  often  acted  indulgently  and  allowed 
the  tax-payers  to  carry  over  their  indebtedness  to  a 


'^■^m^gmfww^w'^ 


n^'^^T'^^ffr^.i^pf^-^f^^^-^-  3:  ^iVf^y=x^'^::^is^:s^^^:r^ 


OUTLAWED.  103 

more  favorable  year.  Now,  on  the  contrary,  there 
was  no  mercy  shown.  Whoever  could  not  pay  had 
property  taken  from  him,  and  if  he  had  no  other  prop- 
erty was  driven  from  house  and  home.  It  was  as  if 
an  effort  was  being  made  to  drive  the  people  to  a  re- 
volt. 

The  caimacam  made  a  visit  one  day  to  a  distant 
estate,  a  small  farm  which  stood  in  some  dependent 
relation  to  Elisba's  property.  The  tenant,  living  there 
in  the  hills,  quite  shut  out  from  the  rest  of  the  district, 
had  only  recently  heard  of  what  had  taken  place. 
The  caimacam  demanded  of  him  immediate  payment 
of  a  large  sum  and  threatened  that  if  it  was  not  paid 
at  once  he  would  be  prosecuted.  On  hearing  this  the 
man  rushed  out  of  the  house  and  wandered  among  the 
hills  like  one  distracted.  Suddenly,  as  if  sprung  from 
the  ground,  Elisba  stood  before  him. 

"  What  is  the  matter,  Stephanik  ?  "  asked  his  for- 
mer landlord. 

The  man  broke  out  in  tears  and  told  the  other  his 
misfortunes. 

"  When  do  you  say  they  wiU  come  to  arrest  you  ?  " 

"  In  three  days." 

"  Do  you  know  which  of  the  officials  is  coming  ?  " 

"  The  caimacam  himself." 

"  The  caimacam  ?  "  cried  Elisba  almost  joyfully. 
"  Are  you  sure  ?  " 

"  It  is  so,  master  ;  he  said  it  himself." 

"  Go  home  quietly,  Stephanik ;  perhaps  I  may  be 
able  to  get  you  an  extension  of  the  time.  But,  mark 
well !  tell  no  one  that  you  have  seen  me.  Remember 
that  they  are  hunting  me  to  the  death." 

Stephanik  went  home  with  a  more  quiet  heart, 


■ff--^i:;*J^'--  ^;^P'?-'^ 


104  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

though  afterward  he  bethought  himself  that  little  aid 
could  be  hoped  for  from  a  fugitive  and  exile. 

Just  before  sunrise  of  the  dreaded  day  which 
was  to  him  of  the  same  import  as  the  end  of  the  world, 
he  was  awakened  from  his  uneasy  sleep  by  the  clatter 
of  horses'  hoofs,  and  a  few  minutes  later  there  was  a 
loud  knocking.    He  went  trembling  to  the  door. 

"  Who  is  there  ?  *'  he  asked  with  chattering  teeth. 

« It  is  I,  Stephanik— Elisba." 

In  glad  astonishment  he  threw  open  the  door. 

"  Is  it  possible  ?    Is  it  really  you,  master  ?  " 

"  Did  I  not  give  you  my  word  ?  " 

Stephanik  stuttered  a  few  phrases  and  then  ran 
back  into  the  house. 

"  Quick,  Maiko,"  he  called  to  his  wife,  "  Elisba  is 
here.  He  has  brought  us  help.  Hurry,  old  woman, 
and  see  what  you  can  get  him  for  breakfast" 

The  woman  now  ran  out  too,  but  started  back  in 
terror  as  she  saw  behind  Elisba  a  number  of  dark  fig- 
ures. 

"  You  are  not  alone." 

"  I  fear  that  I  should  be  of  little  assistance  alone. 
For  what  I  have  in  view  I  need  the  help  of  my  trusted 
friends.  But  we  have  no  time  to  lose.  At  what  hour 
do  you  expect  the  caimacam,  and  from  where  is  he 
coming  ?  " 

"  He  is  coming  from  your  house,  where,  as  I  have 
heard,  he  lives  now." 

"  From  my  house  ?  So  much  the  better.  He  will 
have  to  pass  Bear  Eock,  then." 

"  There  is  no  other  way,  except  the  narrow  foot- 
path along  the  Sturz,  which  he  could  hardly  make 
use  of." 


OUTLAWED.  105 

"  Good !  Quick,  now,  man,  we  have  no  objections  to 
a  morsel  of  breakfast,  but  we  must  have  it  quickly,  for 
time  presses.  "We  must  go  farther,  for  there  are  prepa- 
rations to  make." 

"  So  you  will  not  meet  him  here,"  said  Stephanik 
in  surprise. 

"  Oh,  no.  It  would  be  doing  you  an  ill  service  to 
arrange  the  affair  in  your  house." 

Elisba  and  his  companions  took  a  hasty  refresh- 
ment, and  then  the  leader  turned  to  Stephanik. 

"  You  will  take  our  horses,  and  bring  them  to  the 
dead  oak  tree  in  the  forest ;  remain  quietly  with  them 
until  you  hear  from  us.  Now,  then,  my  friends,  let 
us  be  off,"  he  said  to  his  followers. 

Bear  Rock  was  an  enormous  block  of  stone,  which 
long  ago  had  been  loosened  from  the  face  of  the 
mountain  and  rolled  down  until  stopped  by  a  clump 
of  trees  directly  overhanging  the  road.  Here  it  had 
become  firmly  fixed,  and  out  of  its  crevices  had  grown 
a  thicket  of  shrubs  and  small  trees,  completely  cover- 
ing its  top  and  effectually  hiding  any  one  who  might 
be  concealed  there  from  those  coming  along  the  road. 
As  the  stone  was  smaller  at  the  bottom,  and  was  thickly 
overhung  with  vines,  there  was  a  place  there  too  where 
several  persons  could  be  effectually  concealed.  It  only 
needed  to  cut  a  passage  through  the  thick  growth  of 
vines  and  bushes  toward  the  road  to  prepare  a  most 
excellent  place  for  a  sudden  attack. 

This  was  soon  done,  and  the  bushes  laid  so  as  to 
conceal  the  opening.  Then  a  part  of  the  little  troop 
placed  themselves  on  the  side  from  which  the  caima- 
cam  would  approach,  as  it  was  probable  that  when  his 
escort  saw  the  horsemen  in  front  they  would  turn  to 


106  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

flee.  Elisba  and  the  others  placed  themselves  on  the 
other  side  of  the  rock.  In  this  way  the  caimacam's 
party  would  be  completely  surrounded — on  the  right, 
the  wall  of  stone,  on  the  left,  a  steep  precipice,  and 
before  and  behind,  Elisba's  company. 

In  order  that  the  attack  might  not  be  made  too 
soon,  a  man  was  stationed  on  the  road  a  few  hundred 
paces  from  the  rock,  in  the  direction  from  which  the 
caimacam  would  come.  He  was  directed  to  sit  by  the 
roadside  until  he  heard  the  approach  of  the  horse- 
men, and  then  slowly  walk  back  as  if  he  were  a  weary 
traveler,  but  in  such  a  way  that  they  should  overtake 
him  near  the  rock.  When  they  were  come  to  the  point 
where  the  attack  was  intended  to  be  made,  the  man 
was  to  say  in  a  loud  voice,  "  That  is  Bear  Rock." 

Elisba  and  his  followers  were  fully  armed.  Each 
had  a  dagger  and  a  pair  of  pistols  in  his  girdle  and  a 
gun  over  his  shoulder.  Elisba  carried,  in  addition,  as 
he  was  entitled  to  by  right  of  his  rank,  a  broad, 
curved  sword  at  his  side.  , 

They  had  waited  about  an  hour,  when  the  sound  of 
horses'  hoofs  was  heard.  All  took  their  guns  from 
the  shoulder,  and  held  them  ready  to  fire.  Soon  voices 
were  heard  approaching  hearer  and  nearer,  and  soon 
it  seemed  as  if  the  riders  must  be  directly  in  front  of 
the  ambush,  and  Elisba  began  to  fear  that  his  out- 
guard  had  in  some  way  been  prevented  from  giving 
the  appointed  signal.  In  breathless  excitement  he 
whispered  to  his  men  to  dash  out  as  soon  as  the  first 
horse's  head  came  in  sight.  At  the  same  moment  he 
heard  Ali  Bey's  voice. 

"  How  did  this  rock  get  here,  fellow  ?  " 

"  I  don't  know,  master.     It  is  called  Bear  Rock," 


JE:::JS-.^ 


OUTLAWED.  lOr 

replied  the  man  in  a  loud  voice,  and  the  horsemen 
suddenly  pulled  back  their  horses  in  consternation,  for 
there  in  front  of  them  stood  a  band  of  armed  men, 
with  guns  ready  to  fire.  Their  first  impulse  was  to 
turn  backward  and  escape,  but  there,  too,  was  a  second 
band,  with  guns  aimed  at  them. 

"Surrender!  Throw  down  your  weapons,  or  I 
give  the  order  to  fire,"  cried  Elisba. 

Ali  Bey's  escort  consisted  of  six  men,  while  their 
opponents  numbered  four  times  as  many.  Besides, 
the  riders  carried  their  guns  carelessly  slung  over 
their  backs,  so  that  they  could  not  make  use  of  them 
before  the  others  could  fire.  After  a  moment's  con- 
sideration, they  obeyed  Elisba's  demand,  seeing  that 
their  only  hope  was  in  not  seeking  to  defend  them- 
selves. 

Ali  Bey  had  for  his  only  weapon  the  curved  saber 
at  his  side.  He  drew  it,  but  seeing  that  his  escort 
had  surrendered,  he  too  abandoned  the  idea  of  resist- 
ance. 

Sorrow  and  trouble  had  so  changed  Elisba's  looks 
that  his  enemy  did  not  recognize  him  at  first,  but 
when  the  young  man  stepped  nearer,  the  caimacam 
started  back  in  terror  and  a  death-like  pallor  over- 
spread his  countenance. 

"You  have  taken  from  me  my  home!"  cried 
Elisba,  fixing  his  blazing  eyes  on  Ali  Bey.  "  I  have 
to  thank  you  that  I  am  hunted  like  a  wild  beast,  and  it 
is  through  you  I  have  lost  my  wife.  The  cup  of  your 
wickedness,  vile  wretch,  is  full — full  of  the  blood  and 
sweat  of  those  you  have  oppressed — so  full  of  shameful 
viUainy  that  it  would  be  no  more  than  you  deserve  if 
one  should  tie  a  rope  around  your  neck  and  throttle 

8 


108  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

you  like  a  mad  dog,  for  you  are  not  worthy  of  a  bul- 
let in  your  vile  heart.  And  yet  it  shall  not  be  said 
that  Elisba  was  a  murderer — that  a  stronger  force  fell 
upon  you  to  do  the  hangman's  duty."  He  drew  his 
saber.     "  Defend  yourself — it  is  for  life  or  death ! " 

The  weapons  flashed.  AH  Bey  fought  like  a  mad- 
man. But  soon  he  felt  that  his  arm  was  weakening, 
that  he  could  not  follow  the  rapid  movements  of  his  op- 
ponent. "With  a  quick,  desperate  movement  he  caught 
hold  of  Elisba's  sword  with  one  hand,  that  he  might 
give  him  a  deadly  blow  with  his  own  in  the  other. 
But  like  a  flash  of  lightning  Elisba  tore  his  dagger 
from  his  girdle  and  buried  it  to  the  hilt  in  the  caima- 
cam's  breast. 

"  Then — take  that,  coward ! "  he  cried  hoarsely  as  his 
opponent  sank  dead  upon  the  ground.  "You  have 
chosen  to  fight  unfairly." 

Ali  Bey's  sword  had  also  reached  its  mark  and 
wounded  Elisba  on  the  shoulder ;  but  the  wound  was 
not  a  serious  one,  and  a  tightly  bound  handkerchief 
Bufl&ced  to  stop  the  bleeding. 

"  Take  away  the  corpse  of  your  vile  master,"  said 
he,  turning  to  the  terrified  guard — "  take  him  back  to 
where  he  came  from — to  my  house,  for  all  I  care  now, 
since  his  foot  can  no  longer  shame  the  threshold. 
But  remember  one  thing,"  he  added  sternly,  "  and 
that  is  to  give  a  true  report  to  your  superiors.  Do 
not  dare,  in  your  cowardice,  to  make  up  a  story  of  his 
being  overpowered  by  a  superior  force  of  murderers.  I 
shall  know  it  if  you  do,  and  we  shall  remember  each 
of  your  faces,  and  woe  to  you  if  you  spread  abroad  a 
slanderous  account  of  this  day's  doings. — One  shall 
pay  for  all  with  his  life,  and  all  for  one  ! " 


OUTLAWED.  109 

Elisba's  men  took  the  weapons  of  the  guard  as 
their  rightful  booty,  and  while  the  soldiers  in  trem- 
bling haste,  glad  to  have  escaped  with  their  lives, 
prepared  a  stretcher  of  boughs,  the  band  of  avengers 
silently  took  their  way  toward  the  mountains. 


1? 


CHAPTER  IX. 

THE   MUEZZIN. 

"  What  do  I  say  to  all  this,  friend  D jambek  ?  " 
Murza-Khan  puffed  contentedly  at  his  nargile  and 
blew  a  cloud  of  smoke  into  the  air.  "  To  speak  frank- 
ly, I  am  rather  pleased.  I  paid  a  visit  to  Cherif-Pasha 
yesterday  for  the  sole  purpose  of  mitigating  his  anger. 
He  is  fairly  raving  over  your  neighbor's  little  escapade, 
and  has  given  orders  to  have  a  price  set  on  the  mur- 
derer's head." 

"  The  murderer !  Elisba  killed  his  opponent  in  a 
fair  duel." 

"I  know  that.  And  I  was  greatly  surprised  to 
hear  the  trembling  report  that  Ali  Bey's  brave  escort 
gave  of  the  matter.  They  did  not  even  sepk  to  excuse 
their  cowardice,  as  Elisba  had  threatened  to  strip 
the  skin  from  their  bones  if  they  failed  to  speak  the 
exact  truth.  That  made  the  pasha  even  more  angry 
than  did  the  news  that  his  officer  had  been  killed. 
Astounding!  his  own  men  driven  into  a  corner  and 
threatened  as  if  the  land  had  no  rulers  and  no  garri- 
son !  It  is  a  shame  that  you  could  not  see  him,  D jam- 
bek. His  veins  swelled  so  that  it  looked  as  if  some- 
body had  put  a  net  of  thick  cords  over  his  face." 

"  And  you,  what  did  you  say  ?  " 


^    ^.^^?i««^  -s^n  ^  ^^'"^  ^^   " 


THE  MUEZZIN.  HI 

"  I  let  him  roar  himself  ont  first,  because  I  knew 
it  is  always  best  to  let  a  man's  anger  have  free  play  for 
a  while.  Then  I  said ;  '  Go  carefully.  If  one  thrusts 
into  a  hornet's  nest  he  must  have  fire  near  at  hand  or 
there  will  be  plenty  of  boils  and  blisters.'  He  threw 
his  pipe  on  the  ground  so  that  it  smashed,  and  yelled 
out :  '  Fire !  I'll  give  them  fire !  I  have  got  a  suc- 
cessor to  Ali  Bey  who  will  turn  this  nest  upside  down, 
and  every  third  village  shall  be  garrisoned.'  '  In  that 
way  you  may  do  something,'  I  answered  " 

"  You  would  have  done  better  to  dissuade  him  from 
such  a  step." 

"  I  ?  Am  I  his  counselor.  He  has  enough  other 
people  for  that.  How  would  it  look  for  me  to  say  to 
him, '  Do  this  and  leave  that  undone ' !  I  should  not 
like  it  much  myself  if  any  one  interfered  in  my  busi- 
ness— ^told  me  to  raise  fiax  instead  of  silk,  for  exam- 
ple. No,  I  raise  what  I  choose,  and  he  may  do  as  he 
pleases." 

"  And  yet  you  seem  to  anticipate  that  the  matter 
will  end  badly.  Otherwise,  you  would  not  have  warned 
him  of  hornet  stings.  Do  you  not  believe  that  if  the 
oppressed  province  rises  in  rebellion  the  movement 
will  find  an  echo  here  in  your  district  ?  " 

"  I  do  not  believe  it  wiU  go  as  far  as  that.  Your 
hot-blooded  nature  makes  you  see  things  ahead  which 
only  exist  in  your  imagination.  The  times  are  past 
when  such  a  united  movement  could  take  place. 
Nowadays  each  thinks  for  himself,  and  not  for  the 
common  good." 

"  You  think  so.  You  speak  as  one  who  is  blessed 
with  goods,  and  who  finds  it  easy  to  purchase  his  ease 
and  peace  by  a  yearly  tribute.    But  do  not  forget  that 


.-yi 


■"^vWW  -W 


112  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 


the  poor  arc  in  the  majority,  and  have  not  much  to 
lose — compared  to  what  they  may  gain." 

The  veranda  on  which  they  sat  overlooked  the  edge 
of  the  cliff  which  projected  over  the  sea.  Everything 
here  breathed  quietness  and  prosperity.  No  other 
sound  came  to  them  but  the  low  murmur  of  the  blue 
sea,  where,  in  the  little  bay,  a  half-dozen  graceful  sloops 
and  cutters  rocked,  the  property  of  the  owner  of  the 
estate. 

Thick  carpets  from  Teheran  and  Smyrna,  of  won- 
derful combinations  of  colors,  covered  the  stone  j&oor, 
and  might  make  one  imagine  he  was  treading  the  soft 
turf  below.  Costly  pillars  of  many  colored  marble 
supported  the  vaulted  roof,  and  numerous  plants  and 
flowers  filled  the  air  with  perfume.  Coffee,  in  deli- 
cately worked  silver  cups,  stood  in  reach  of  the  hand, 
and  with  them  crystal  goblets  of  water  cooled  with 
snow  from  the  mountain  and  blood-red  sherbet  of 
pomegranates.  Murza-Khan,  with  half-shut  eyes,  re- 
clined luxuriously  on  the  cushioned  divan,  and  drew 
the  smoke  from  his  costly  water-pipe  in  slow,  comfort- 
able puffs — the  picture  of  a  man  to  whom  personal  en- 
joyment is  the  only  condition  and  the  only  object  of 
life. 

"  I  tell  you,"  said  Djambek,  resuming  his  conver- 
sation after  a  long  pause,  "  the  end  may  be  a  very  seri- 
ous one.  But  a  single  spark  is  needed  to  start  a  blaze 
— and  you  know  well  how  a  fire  spreads.  First,  they 
will  satisfy  their  revenge  on  their  oppressors ;  but  then, 
when  the  masses  have  once  tasted  blood,  if  they  once 
meet  with  success,  their  moderation  will  be  lost,  and 
any  one  who  possesses  riches,  and  lives  in  luxury,  will 
be  counted  an  enemy  who  must  be  destroyed.    There- 


3'Taf<?«l^'^fi"Wi-«  > ' 


THE  MUEZZIN.  113 

fore,  measures  of  prevention  must  be  taken  in  time, 
and  one  in  your  position,  especially,  should  do  all  that 
lies  in  his  power." 

"  Your  picture  is  a  vivid  one ;  but  still  it  is  only  a 
picture.  The  land  will  never  be  aroused  to  that  pitch. 
I  know  my  people  better.  And  even  if  it  were  other- 
wise, do  you  suppose  a  crowd,  or  say  even  an  army,  of 
badly  armed,  poorly  disciplined  rebels  could,  in  these 
days,  offer  any  serious  resistance  to  well-armed,  highly 
disciplined  troops  ?  " 

"  We  see  many  things  carried  out  where  at  first  it 
seemed  impossible.  But,  aside  from  all  that,  who  as- 
sures you  that  if  the  people,  in  their  desperation  should 
call  on  the  neighboring  states  for  help — " 

"The  Russian?"  interrupted  Murza-Khan,  rising 
excitedly.  "You  mean  that?  Then  know  this ;  that 
at  the  first  sign  of  such  a  movement,  I  put  all  my  prop- 
erty in  hazard  and  use  my  utmost  influence  to  crash 
it  at  its  birth ;  and  the  first  traitor  that  came  in  my 
way  I  would  lay  his  head  at  his  feet ! " 

"That  would  not  make  the  others  harmless  that 
stood  behind  him." 

"  Pah ! "  rejoined  Murza  derisively, "  the  people  are 
but  a  herd,  to  be  driven  by  one  who  has  the  longest 
whip  and  who  can  crack  it  the  loudest ;  and  I  know 
how  to  drive  them,  be  assured —  But  let  us  drop  the 
subject.  They  are  but  imaginary  specters — ^green  fruit 
that  will  drop  before  it  is  ripe.  The  visionaries  whQ 
cast  glances  toward  our  neighboring  state  only  know 
it  by  hearsay ;  they  do  not  know  that  over  there  things 
are  as  bad,  if  not  worse,  than  they  are  with  us." 

"  I  hardly  think  that  is  so.  You  know  I  received 
a  part  of  my  educatien  in  Odessa ;  and  I  always  no- 


!■    VV;-?  ■'■^■■^^I'V."  ^■"-   -"V  -■=;^Sl??''^'^/H?f!S;w?^^,:^l5^^ 


114  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

ticed  that  every  effort  was  being  made  to  introduce  the 
benefits  of  Western  culture." 

Murza-Khan  laughed.  "  What  do  you  understand 
by  Western  culture  ?  Heavier  taxes  and  less  personal 
freedom  ?  I  went  to  Maraeilles  once  to  sell  some  of 
my  silk.  You  should  have  heard  the  sighs  and  groans 
of  these  '  Western  culture '  people !  At  that  time  the 
nephew  of  the  great  robber  Napoleon  had  seized  the 
supreme  power  ;  behind  every  man  stood  a  spy,  to 
listen  and  report  every  word  he  said ;  they  were  driven 
to  prison  in  herds;  every  man  that  had  two  sound 
arms  had  to  stick  them  into  a  soldier's  coat,  and  risk 
his  life  for  the  benefit  of  the  throne  robber.  I  was  glad 
when  I  succeeded  in  getting  through  with  my  business 
and  on  board  a  ship  bound  for  home.  And  I  thought 
to  myself :  With  us  things  are  better  ;  there  no  one 
obliges  me  to  make  a  target  of  myself  for  matters  I  care 
nothing  about ;  and  with  a  handful  of  dirty  piasters  I 
can  make  the  tax  gatherer  bow  to  the  ground.  If  I 
want  to  carry  on  some  business  matter  without  the 
officials  sticking  their  noses  into  it,  I  have  only  to  slip 
a  piece  of  shining  metal  into  the  caimacam's  hands. 
Therefore,  I  say  again,  Elisba  was  a  fool ;  he  could 
have  arranged  matters  with  the  caimacam  much  more 
cheaply  than  by  seeking  to  get  so-called  justice — which 
I  do  not  expect  to  find  in  perfection  even  at  the  side 
of  the  Prophet  in  paradise.  What  has  he  got  now  to 
offset  the  loss  of  his  wife  and  his  property,  and  that 
men  are  always  on  his  track,  trying  to  earn  the  five 
thousand  piasters  reward  for  putting  a  bullet  through 
his  head?" 

"  If  all  thought  as  you  do,  matters  would  soon  be 
worse  than  they  are  now.    And  as  I  said  before,  few 


1^ 


THE  MTTEZZIN.  115 

are  in  a  position  where  they  can  buy  peace  and  friend- 
ship with  the  officials  as  you  can." 

"  Fortune  opens  the  door  to  every  one,  and  it  is  so 
much  the  worse  for  him  who  stumbles  over  the  thresh- 
old and  cracks  his  skull ! " 

Dusk  had  settled  down  so  rapidly  and  suddenly 
that  the  sea  was  but  a  gray  cloud  uniting  with  the 
horizon.  Murza-Khan  had  left  his  divan,  and  was 
walking  thoughtfully  up  and  down.  Suddenly  there 
was  heard  a  long  drawn  out  whistle,  which  made  him 
stop  to  listen.  In  a  few  moments  it  was  repeated,  and 
he  walked  to  the  railing  and  peered  into  the  darkness 
until  far  out  on  the  sea  a  red  light  could  be  seen. 
The  color  of  the  light  changed  to  green,  and  then  to 
white.  He  threw  a  stolen  glance  at  his  visitor,  and 
walked  restlessly  up  and  down  again  a  few  times,  and 
then,  stopping  in  front  of  Djambek,  said : 

"  Will  you  spend  the  night  with  me  ?  You  will  be 
welcome,  only  I  must  beg  you  to  excuse  me  for  a 
couple  of  hours.  I  have  promised  to  see  a  tenant  to- 
night on  business,  and  he  lives  at  some  distance." 

"  I  thank  you  for  your  hospitality,  but  I  must  go 
back  to  the  city,  as  I  intend  taking  a  boat  for  home 
that  leaves  at  midnight.  As  you  have  business  I  will 
not  detain  you  longer.  Farewell,  I  am  sorry  that  you 
are  not  to  be  won  to  the  side  of  justice." 

As  Djambek  slowly  took  his  way  back  to  the  city, 
his  mind  was  busy  with  what  had  passed  between  him- 
self and  Murza-Khan.  He  had  had  strong  hopes  of 
gaining  over  the  rich,  influential  nabob,  but  he  had 
now  to  admit  that  with  so  selfish  a  nature  it  was  im- 
possible. One  who  thought  only  of  himself  was  not 
the  man  who  could  be  made  the  leader  of  a  movement 


i       ■  ■  ' 


116  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

which  had  for  its  object  the  common  good  of  all.  And 
yet  it  would  be  so  easy  for  him  to  do  the  land  a  great 
service.  It  was  not  by  force  of  arms  that  Djambek 
hoped  to  bring  about  a  reformation — then  at  least, 
that  thought  was  far  from  him — but  if  Murza-Khan 
would  make  an  attempt  to  work  upon  Cherif- Pasha 
with  words  and  advice,  there  were  many  others  who 
would  not  indeed  venture  alone,  but  who  would  join 
him,  and  their  influence  all  together  might  suffice  to 
bring  the  governor  to  take  a  different  course. 

As  matters  now  stood,  Djambek  saw  to  his  sorrow 
that  there  was  no  possibility  of  a  redress  of  existing 
grievances.  He  felt  himself  to  be  too  young  for  a 
leader.  He  felt  certain  that  his  own  people  and  many 
others  would  be  true  to  him.  But  to  what  end  ?  He 
no  longer  had  admission  to  Cherif -Pasha,  so  that  there 
was  no  possibility  of  mediation  there.  He  thought  of 
Artschil,  but  abandoned  the  idea  almost  as  soon  as  it 
was  formed.  Artschil  was  a  brave,  honorable  man, 
but  he  was  in  the  service  of  the  authorities.  He  ate 
their  bread,  and  for  that  reason  could  not  appear  as 
their  opponent.  The  old  Georgian  feeling,  too,  had 
long  slumbered  in  his  heart,  and  at  his  age  one  can  not 
be  aroused  for  such  things.  "  He  lived  among  the 
wolves,  and  must  howl  with  them." 

Djambek  saw  that  there  was  nothing  to  be  done 
but  to  endure  ;  to  look  quietly  on  while  rascality,  in- 
justice, and  avarice  won  the  battle.  And  perhaps, 
after  long  years,  when  he  should  be  an  old  man,  he  too 
might  sit  in  the  sun  and  take  things  as  calmly  as 
Murza-Khan  did,  and  smile  at  the  enthusiasm  of  youths 
who  believed  they  could  alone  successfully  oppose  es- 
tablished power. 


■«?^-: 


TEE  MUEZZIN.  117 

Arriving  in  the  city,  he  went  to  Ahmed's  house  to 
pass  the  evening. 

The  muezzin  was  a  pious  Mohammedan.  All  that 
related  to  his  faith  he  looked  upon  as  holy  and  un- 
questionable. In  this  respect,  therefore,  he  could  be 
deemed  a  most  loyal  subject  of  the  Sultan,  in  whom 
he  recognized  a  semi- supernatural  being.  But  for  the 
Sultan's  representative  he  had  less  reverence,  and  in 
his  heart  he  felt  a  righteous  indignation  over  the 
many  wrongs  that  were  to  be  traced  to  the  pasha's 
door.  Toward  Djambek's  family  he  felt  the  greatest 
attachment.  He  owed  to  Djambek's  father  the  posi- 
tion he  now  held,  as  well  as  many  obligations  for  help 
in  time  of  need.  The  kindnesses,  too,  which  his  sister 
had  received  he  considered  as  done  to  himself.  In 
his  eyes  the  son  of  his  benefactor  was  a  young  man  of 
great  promise,  who  one  day  might  be  called  on  to  play 
a  great  role  in  the  land.  He  saw  in  him  a  sort  of  re- 
former of  the  future,  who,  when  the  time  should  come, 
would  bring  about  a  better  order  of  things.  The 
thought  came  to  him  often  of  how  fine  it  would  be  if 
the  prophet  should  in  a  dream  open  the  eyes  of  the 
mighty  ruler  in  Stamboul,  and  say  to  him :  "  Beyond 
the  sea  dwells  a  young  man  whose  wisdom  is  the 
wisdom  of  age;  who  loves  only  righteousness,  and 
seeks  only  justice.  I  have  chosen  him  to  bring  for- 
tune and  peace  to  his  country.  I  charge  thee,  there- 
fore, call  him  to  thee,  and  give  him  power  in  thy 
name." 

To  this  day  dream  Ahmed  often  gave  himself,  and 

so  when  Djambek  spoke  of  the  state  of  the  land  and 

'complained  of  the  wrongs  done  in  high  places,  the 

muezzin  nodded  smilingly  and  said :  "  Keep  thy  pa- 


118  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

tience,  Djambek,  I  see  the  day  coming  when  thou  shalt 
be  called  to  rescue  the  land." 

Djambek's  hopes  did  not  go  as  far  as  that ;  he  had 
no  dreams  of  playing  a  prominent  part.  If  he  could  in 
some  way  assist  in  putting  down  bribery  and  official 
corruption  all  his  hopes  would  be  realized. 

But  the  two  did  not  speak  of  these  matters  to-night, 
for  the  old  man  had  a  note  for  Djambek  which  he  had 
intended  sending  to  him  by  messenger.  When  the  " 
young  man  had  read  and  reread  it,  he  turned  toward 
Ahmed  and,  under  its  influence,  poured  out  his  whole 
soul  to  him.  Ahmed  listened  to  him  good-naturedly, 
with  only  now  and  then  a  remark.  He  felt  a  sympa- 
thy also  for  Thamar,  not  alone  because  she  was  the 
queen  of  Djambek's  heart,  but  for  her  own  sake  too. 

"  See,"  he  said,  indicating  a  small  closet  behind 
whose  glass  doors  he  kept  his  valuables,  "  she  always 
brings  something  to  please  me,"  and  he  brought  out 
the  little  presents  she  had  given  him.  "  Once  she 
wanted  to  give  me  a  string  of  amber  beads,  but  I  would 
not  allow  it.  It  would  look  as  if  I  wished  to  be  paid 
for  the  little  services  I  did.  When  she  offered  me  a 
silk  handkerchief  for  my  sister  I  could  not  resist,  but 
I  made  her  promise  not  to  bring  anything  more  that 
cost  much  money." 

"  You  are  too  sensitive,  Ahmed.  The  services  you 
have  done  can  not  be  paid  for  with  amber  beads. 
Take  what  she  gives  you ;  I  know  her  heart,  and  she 
will  feel  badly  if  you  refuse." 

"  Do  you  know,  "  said  the  muezzin  after  a  pause, 
"at  first  I  felt  some  scruples  about  this  business?    It 
did  not  seem  right  for  a  man  in  my  position  to  be  act^ 
ing  as  a  go-between.    But  afterward,  when  she  came 


_..v^-  l-^'.-'^'-^fi^S'^^r^-es^!^'''^V.  -■    "., 


THE  MIJEZZIN.  119 

and  smiled  so  winningly  and,  at  the  same  time,  so  im- 
ploringly, I  said  to  myself :  Ei !  the  prophet  never  said 
that  love  was  forbidden,  and  why  should  I  be  more 
strict  than  the  embassador  of  Allah.  But  the  prophet 
insisted  on  repaying  kindness  with  kindness.  It  would 
have  been  a  shame,  therefore,  if  I  did  not  serve  you 
when  I  could.  And  the  of  tener  she  came  the  gladder 
I  was  to  think  to  myself.  This  good,  handsome  couple 
is  made  happy  partly  through  me." 

Djambek  gave  him  his  hand.  "  You  are  a  good 
man,  Ahmed.  If  the  prophet  had  only  such  servants, 
he  might  well  be  content." 

"  I  do  not  think  it  is  so  hard  for  one  to  do  his 
duty.  There  are  verily  many  temptations  to  every 
man  to  do  some  wrong;  but  if  he  only  thinks,  *  Shall  I 
break  the  commands  of  Allah  to  enjoy  a  brief  pleasure 
and  forget  that  he  will  severely  punish  all  unfaithful- 
ness?' then  it  is  not  hard  to  withstand." 

"  I  fear  Allah  overlooks  some  things  here  and  there. 
How  else  could  wickedness  prosper  as  it  sometimes 
does?" 

Ahmed  raised  his  hand  wamingly.  "  Speak  not  so, 
Djambek,  perhaps  he  hears  us  now." 

"You  think  so?"  Djambek  was  about  to  add 
something  further,  but  the  reverent  tone  in  which  the 
other  had  spoken  restrained  him,  and  he  changed  the 
subject  by  telling  the  muezzin  of  his  sister,  how  well 
she  carried  on  the  household,  and  how  faithfully  she 
served  him.  "  Bachelors  usually  keep  house  but  poor- 
ly "  he  said,  "  but  they  should  see  mine.  And  then 
she  seems  so  contented.  One  would  never  think  from 
*her  cheerfulness  that  she  has  suffered  so  much." 

Ahmed  smiled  with  pleasure.     "True,  and  this 


"7^ 


120  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

cheerfulness  and  content  she  owes  to  you.  Often  has 
she  told  me  how  you  treat  her,  not  as  a  master  treats 
his  servant,  but  rather  as  a  son  his  mother." 

"  But  there  is  no  question  of  master  and  servant 
between  us." 

"  Strictly  speaking,  there  is,  of  course.  Does  she 
not  eat  your  bread  ?  But  there  is  no  humiliation  in 
service  when  one  does  his  duty." 

"That  is  to  say,  when  both  sides  do  their  duty. 
There  you  are  right,  Ahmed.  I  feel  more  respect  for 
the  humblest  servant  who  does  his  work  faithfully  and 
conscientiously  than  for  those  in  high  position  who 
are,  indeed,  servants  too,  but  act  as  if  they  were  the 
masters,  and  rob,  cheat,  and  betray  those  whose  bread 
they  eat.     But  I  must  go  now." 

"Wait  one  moment.  Lazar  is  coming  to  let  us 
know  when  he  is  ready  to  start.  And,  in  the  mean 
time,  I  beg  you  will  partake  of  some  refreshment." 

Ahmed  hastened  to  the  closet  and  brought  out 
some  decorated  plates  and  a  fork  and  knife,  which  he 
placed  before  his  guest  with  evident  pride.  Then  he 
brought  from  another  room  a  basket  of  fruit  and  white 
bread.  Just  as  they  had  finished  the  frugal  meal 
Lazar  appeared  and  informed  Djambek  that  he  was 
ready  to  start. 


-^™'^' 


CHAPTER  X. 

A    CRY    FOR   HELP. 

Chekip- Pasha  had  partly  carried  out  the  threat 
he  had  made  to  Murza-Khan.  The  man  whom  he  ap- 
pointed as  Ali  Bey's  successor  had  served  with  the  mili- 
tary since  his  sixteenth  year,  and  was  a  type  of  those 
"  iron-eaters "  who  think  everything  must  march  ac- 
cording to  the  drum.  The  military  force  under  the 
pasha's  command  was  not  indeed  large  enough  to  allow 
him  to  place  a  garrison  in  every  third  village,  but  a 
number  of  new  posts  were  established,  to  be  at  the 
caimacam's  disposal. 

The  first  thing  that  Redjeb  Bey,  the  new  official, 
did  was  to  summon  all  the  village  elders  before  him  ; 
those  who  failed  to  come  were  punished  with  heavy 
fines.  To  those  who  came  he  announced  his  pro- 
gramme. He  told  them  he  should  follow  up  severely 
the  slightest  infraction  of  law ;  that  as  the  representa- 
tive of  the  government  he  would  make  no  concessions, 
but  would  see  to  it  that  every  requirement  was  strictly 
lived  up  to.  In  conclusion,  he  spoke  of  "  that  rebel 
and  outlaw  "  Elisba,  for  whose  arrest  all  subjects  must 
do  their  utmost.  Should  he  find  that,  either  from  fear 
or  from  pity,  any  one  had  given  the  fugitive  a  place  of 
shelter,  he  swore  that  he  would  level  his  house  to  the 


122  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN.  ' 

ground  and  have  the  faithless  subject  shot  without 
mercv. 

After  this  friendly  announcement  he  dismissed  the 
elders  with  the  command  to  appear  before  him  twice  a 
month  to  receive  any  new  directions  he  might  have  to 
give,  and  to  render  an  account  of  all  their  doings. 

The  people  went  away  shaking  their  heads.  They 
had  never  been  spoken  to  like  that  before.  It  was  just 
as  if  the  new  caimacam  had  been  the  commander  of  a 
hostile  army,  who  gave  the  conquered  people  his  direc- 
tions as  to  what  they  should  do  during  the  term  of  his 
occupation  of  the  country. 

It  was  the  most  bitter  for  those  who  had  failed  to 
obey  the  summons,  and  who  now  found  themselves, 
according  to  their  wealth,  condemned  to  heavy  fines 
or  to  imprisonment.  The  positions  they  held  as  vil- 
lage elders  they  considered  as  posts  of  honor  conferred 
upon  them  by  their  fellow- villagers ;  they  received  no 
pay,  and  therefore  felt  that  no  one  had  a  right  to  treat 
them  as  dependent  ofl&cials. 

From  this  time  every  one  objected  to  taking  these 
offices,  but  the  caimacam,  on  his  own  authority  simply, 
named  as  elders  the  oldest  inhabitants.  No  objec- 
tions were  listened  to.  It  was  "  either  accept  or  go  to 
prison." 

Such  measures  were  not  calculated  to  make  things 
move  smoothly  again.  On  the  contrary,  the  discon- 
tent soon  became  general,  and  if  no  6ne  ventured  to 
speak  his  dissatisfaction  aloud,  the  fire  smoldered  the 
more  fiercely  under  the  ashes. 

Redjeb  Bey  conducted  himself  toward  the  higher 
classes  with  harshness  and  rudeness.  As  he  had  come 
up  from  the  ranks,  and  had  often  suffered  as  a  scape- 


A  CEY  FOR  HELP.  123 

goat  for  his  superiors,  he  now  took  advantage  of  his 
position  of  authority  to  have  his  revenge  on  those  who 
had  stood  over  the  people  from  birth.  In  this  respect 
he  was  very  democratic ;  he  found  it  to  be  very  un- 
just that  certain  people  should  be  counted  higher  than 
others  because  they  had  happened  to  inherit  property 
and  titles;  he  would  only  grant  such  right  to  one 
person — the  Padishah — ^all  others  should  like  himself 
climb  by  hard  labor  to  the  top  of  the  hierarchical 
ladder. 

Many  of  the  large  land  owners  did  not  feel  con- 
strained to  pay  their  humble  respects  to  the  caima- 
cam,  and  among  them  was  Djambek.  If  Redjeb  Bey 
had  called  on  him  he  would  have  fulfilled  the  duties  of 
hospitality,  but  he  considered  it  superfluous  for  him  to 
humbly  appear  before  the  representative  of  a  govern- 
ment for  which  he  had  more  reason  every  day  to  feel 
contempt.  The  caimacam  took  notice  of  this,  and 
took  occasion  more  than  once  to  speak  of  "  these  great 
lords  who  think  themselves  of  more  importance  than 
His  Majesty  in  StambouL" 

The  ill-feeling  between  the  people  and  the  govern- 
ment thus  grew  greater  every  day.  There  was,  to  be 
sure,  no  talk  of  bribery,  but  every  one  suffered  under 
the  iron  rule  and  brutal  strictness  which  the  caimacam 
thought  necessary  for  the  safety  of  the  state.  To  make 
matters  still  worse,  the  crops  this  year  were  a  failure, 
so  that  the  small  land  holders  found  it  as  much  as 
they  could  do  to  support  themselves,  to  say  nothing  of 
promptly  meeting  the  demands  for  taxes.  As  Redjeb 
Bey  would  listen  to  no  sort  of  compromise,  it  was 
finally  determined  to  send  a  delegation  to  the  city  to 
represent  to  Cherif-Pasha  how  matters  stood,  and  in- 


.-■r^r,"^*^^  ■- ,-  --.,■■'■  -^-^r /^^  -■■  f\ -^^^"■^^"■^■'Svv'^'^jf'7^ 


124  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

duce  him  to  use  his  power  to  ameliorate  the  heavy 
conditions. 

Totia,  who  received  the  deputation,  closed  one  eye 
and  laid  his  finger  along  his  hawk-like  nose. 

"  My  dear  people,  this  is  a  ticklish  matter,"  he  said. 
"  Cherif-Pasha  is  still  much  incensed  over  the  recent 
occurrences,  and  I  fear  he  will  not  even  consent  to  see 
you." 

This  time  Totia  had  not  exaggerated  matters,  as  he 
usually  did,  in  order  to  increase  the  importance  of  his 
services.  The  pasha  had  sworn  vengeance  on  the 
province  where  his  representative  had  been  so  severely 
dealt  with. 

A  present  to  Totia,  a  little  purse  of  silver  pieces, 
on  which  hung  so  many  drops  of  the  poverty-stricken 
people's  sweat,  induced  that  worthy  to  make  an  at- 
tempt to  get  an  audience  with  the  pasha  for  the  dele- 
gation, and  he  succeeded  in  so  far  as  obtaining  per- 
mission for  the  people  to  enter.  Their  reception  was 
certainly  not  a  cordial  one.  The  governor  asked  them 
gruffly  what  they  wanted,  and  as  their  spokesman 
made  known  their  requests,  the  pasha  scowled. 

"  What !  After  having  murdered  one  of  my  best 
officials,  you  dare  to  come  and  ask  for  favors!"  he 
said  harshly. 

"We,  your  Excellency,  did  not  murder  All 
Bey." 

"I  hold  you  all  responsible,  for  at  least  in  your 
hearts  you  all  consented  to  the  shameful  deed." 

The  spokesman  was  silent  for  a  moment,  then  he 
said : 

"  We  had  naught  to  do  with  it,  Excellency,  but 
that  we  do  not  mourn  the  caimacam's  death  is  not  our 


<-y^'  - 


A  CRY  FOR  HELP.  125 

feult.  He  was  not  the  man  to  gain  our  special  affec- 
tion." 

"Perhaps  his  successor  will  know  better  how  to 
win  your  hearts,"  replied  the  pasha  sarcastically. 

The  spokesman  shook  his  head.  "It  is  said," 
he  replied,  "  that  dogs  love  the  hand  that  beats 
them.  But  we  are  not  dogs.  And  therefore,  Ex- 
cellency, we  pray  you  speak  a  word  in  our  favor. 
We  will  go  to  our  work  with  redoubled  energy  to 
meet  our  obligations  as  soon  as  possible.  Only 
grant  us  a  delay,  for  if  they  take  from  us  the  little 
that  we  have,  there  is  naught  left  us  but  to  die  of 
hunger." 

"  I  wiU  tell  you  something,"  returned  the  pasha, 
after  a  few  moments'  thought.  "  The  possibility  of 
your  re-establishing  yourselves  in  the  favor  of  your 
rightful  masters  shall  not  be  taken  from  you.  By 
right,  each  and  all  of  you  deserve  punishment,  for  if 
you  had  done  your  duty  as  obedient  subjects  the  rebel 
and  murderer  would  have  long  since  been  given  up  to 
justice.  And  yet  I  will  show  you  that  the  government 
is  inclined  to  mercy,  if  you  will  but  do  your  part  in 
restoring  matters  to  their  proper  condition.  Hear, 
then !  In  case  the  villain  Elisba  is  delivered  up  within 
one  month,  not  only  shall  those  engaged  in  his  capture 
receive  the  promised  reward,  but  their  villages,  be  it 
one  or  many,  shall  receive  a  present  of  this  year's  dues, 
and  the  whole  province  receive  an  extension  of  one 
year  for  payment  of  taxes.  You  can  not  certainly  ask 
more.  One  service  for  another.  You  know  now  what 
you  have  to  do.    Go ! " 

When  the  delegation  were  again  in  the  ante-room, 
Totia  rubbed  his  hands  in  satisfaction. 


f^'l^W^'"-  \  '    -  ■        ^  '.~'';-n'.;,v.--.--<a*.'<-  «*^5?=^'=»w?^.>'7J*-^  «T^iT-^K^;5^.y7r^^ 


126  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

"  Na !  my  people,  you  did  not  expect  anything  so 
good  as  that ! " 

They  sorrowfully  shook  their  heads.  "  We  would 
have  preferred  simply  an  extension  of  six  months." 

"  You  are  fools ! "  ejaculated  Totia,  "  a  higher  re- 
ward for  a  simple  piece  of  work  could  not  be  thought 
of." 

The  delegation  returned  home  and  made  their 
report  to  a  meeting  of  the  people.  The  first  results 
were  bitter  complaints  that  Cherif -Pasha's  conditions 
simply  amounted  to  an  absolute  refusal  of  their  re- 
quest. Afterward,  however,  single  voices  were  heard, 
at  first  hesitatingly,  and  then  more  confidently,  inti- 
mating that  it  was  a  matter  to  be  taken  into  consid- 
eration. Especially  one  who  had  had  differences  with 
Elisba,  spoke  in  this  way.  It  was  the  duty  of  every 
one  to  look  out  for  himself.  If  Elisba  had  sacrificed 
himself  for  the  good  of  the  others,  it  would  be  differ- 
ent But  he  had  fought  for  his  own  interests  and  sat- 
isfied his  own  vengeance.  If  one  considered  only  that 
by  it  a  whole  land  was  to  be  saved ;  that  many  who 
would  otherwise  -have  to  take  their  beggar's  staff  in 
hand  might  retain  their  little  property — then  possi- 
bly it  was  going  to  an  extreme,  not  to  take  the  proposi- 
tion into  consideration,  when  the  good  of  one  was 
opposed  to  the  welfare  of  the  many. 

These  arguments  were  not  without  effect  on  a  part 
of  the  assembly.  The  majority  indeed  opposed  the 
idea,  and  declared  themselves  against  sacrificing  one 
of  their  lands-people,  who  had  always  stood  by  them. 
But  a  minority  agreed  with  the  speaker  referred  to, 
and  the  assembly  broke  up  in  dissatisfaction  and  dis- 
pute.   Otia,  the  leader  of  the  minority,  discussed  the 


.^■^ 


A  CRY  FOB  HELP.  127 

matter  at  lengtli  on  the  way  home,  and  ridienled  the 
others  for  having  such  tender  feelings,  when,  in  fact, 
he  said,  they  would  grin  with  pleasure  if  they  heard 
one  day  that  their  requests  had  been  granted  as  a  spe- 
cial mark  of  the  pasha's  favor. 

Among  those  who  attended  the  meeting  was  the 
elder  of  the  village  of  Skalta.  When  he  returned 
home  he  told  Djambek  of  what  had  been  done.  He 
did  not  neglect  to  speak  of  Otia's  speech,  and  how  he 
and  a  number  of  others  were  in  favor  of  accepting  the 
pasha's  conditions.  This  made  Djambek  feel  great 
anxiety  for  the  safety  of  his  friend.  He  lost  no- 
time  in  sending  a  warning  to  Elisba,  in  order  that 
he  might  at  least  avoid  setting  foot  on  his  native 
territory.     Otherwise,  he  could  not  assist  him. 

One  day  a  boy  coming  in  great  haste  brought  him 
a  message  saying  that  Ahmed  could  not  wait  for  Lazar 
this  time  as  the  message  was  urgent. 

Djambek  tore  open  the  letter  and  read  as  follows : 

"Beloved:  I  am  driven  nearly  to  desperation. 
After  my  uncle  had  been  silent  for  a  long  time  on  the 
hated  subject,  he  called  me  to  him  to  inform  me  that 
he  had  positively  promised  my  hand  to  Hassan  Bey. 
I  answered  with  a  positive  *  No,'  and  tried  to  leave  the 
room,  when  he  barred  the  way  and  said  he  would  force 
me  to  follow  his  wishes.  Then  I  threw  myself  at  his 
feet  and  confessed  that  my  heart  belonged  to  you.  I 
beseeched  him  to  remember  that  my  life's  happiness 
was  concerned;  I  sought  to  show  how  superior 
you  were  to  the  other,  but  he  only  laughed  scornfully 
at  all  I  said,  and  called  me  insane  to  think  he  would 
give  his  relative  to  a  f ooL  Then  I  poured  out  all  that 
was  in  my  heart ;  I  declared  I  would  never  give  my- 


128  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

self  as  tlie  price  of  his  manoeuvres ;  that  I  was  ready 
to  throw  myself  into  the  sea  rather  than  bind  myself 
for  life  to  a  man  for  whom  I  felt  only  hatred  and 
comtempt.  Thereupon  he  got  furiously  angry.  He 
denounced  me  as  ungrateful,  common,  low — and  swore 
an  oath  that  within  a  few  weeks  I  should  be  the  wife 
of  this  hated  man. 

"  We  are  to  leave  the  city  in  a  week.  My  uncle  is 
going  to  Artwin,  and  I  am  to  accompany  him  as  far 
as  Murgal  where  I  am  to  remain  under  Russudan's  care. 
My  only  friend  and  confidante,  Daria,  remains  here. 
A  change  of  air  is  necessary  for  me  as  the  heat  in  Ba- 
toum  appears  to  be  dangerous  for  me.  I  know  very 
well  what  this  change  means.  They  mean  to  separate 
me  from  all  my  friends  and  keep  me  in  solitude,  in 
order  to  force  me  to  consent  to  the  will  of  my  jailer 
and  be  chained  for  life  to  this  man  to  whom  I  will 
never  belong. 

"  Rescue  me,  my  friend.  I  am  ready  for  an3rthing ; 
only  save  me  from  this  frightful  position ! 

"  Thamae." 

Djambek  had  become  deadly  pale,  and  his  hand 
trembled  so  that  he  could  scarcely  read  the  letter  to  its 
end.  After  brooding  over  it  for  a  long  time  he  read  it 
through  again,  and  then  grinding  his  teeth  in  impotent 
rage  strode  up  and  down  the  room  like  one  possessed, 
clinching  his  fists  as  if  he  would  destroy  an  enemy 
that  stood  before  him.  It  was  a  long  time  before  his 
fierce  excitement  subsided  so  that  he  could  think  con- 
nectedly of  what  was  to  be  done. 

Rescue  her  !  how  could  he  ?  And  yet  why  should 
he  not  place  his  life  upon  it  and  make  the  attempt  ? 


A  CRY  FOR  HELP.  129 

At  first  he  could  see  no  hope  of  success,  but  as  he 
dwelt  more  upon  it  he  saw  a  possibility  of  its  being 
done.  He  had  in  former  years  often  traveled  up  the 
Tchoroch,  and  had  frequently  gone  farther  than  Art- 
win.  He  had  often,  too,  landed  in  Murgal,  and  believed 
he  could  still  remember  its  principal  features.  He  de- 
termined to  go  there  at  once  to  make  himself  better 
acquainted  with  the  locality.  If  he  wished  to  gain 
time*  he  must  start  without  delay,  as  the  voyage  up 
stream  was  diflScult  and  slow. 

Quickly  making  up  his  mind,  he  at  once  set  about 
making  the  necessary  preparations.  Putting  together 
what  he  needed  for  the  voyage  he  sent  it  by  his  servant 
to  the  boat.     Then  he  called  his  old  housekeeper. 

«  Take  this,"  he  said,  handing  her  a  large  sum  of 
money.  "  I  am  going  on  a  journey,  and  may  be  gone 
for  some  time.  This  will  serve  for  your  living  until  I 
return." 

The  woman  clasped  her  hands  in  surprise.  "  You 
are  not  going  into  any  danger,  are  you  ?  "  she  cried  im- 
ploringly. "  Oh,  be  carefuL  Stay  quietly  and  peace- 
fully at  home.     Oh,  do  not —  " 

"Be  still!  My  happiness  depends  on  this  trip. 
My  duty,  too,  calls  me.  I  shall  see  Ahmed  in  any  event, 
and  you  will  hear  of  me  through  him.  If  any  one  in- 
quires for  me,  say  that  I  have  been  called  away  on 
urgent  business." 

He  hurriedly  left  the  house,  while  the  old  woman  in 
tears  made  numerous  mystic  signs  behind  him  which, 
to  her  mind,  were  calculated  to  avert  all  evil  from  his 
head.  He  and  his  servant  plied  the  oars  so  vigorously 
that  in  four  hours  they  were  in  Batoum.  Here  he 
gave  the  man  some  money  and  directed  him  to  return. 


'W^--' 


:^;//V9''-rfr'if;f-.  -s 


130  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

"I  shall  remain  here  some  days,"  he  said,  "and 
perhaps  shall  have  to  go  farther  on  business — ^but 
you  will  hear  from  me  in  eight  or  ten  days  at  the 
farthest." 

Then  he  left  his  servant  and  took  his  way  into  the 
city  alone. 

"  I  thought  you  would  come  to-day,"  said  Ahmed, 
as  Djambek  entered.  "  This  time  it  was  her  friend 
who  brought  the  note,  and  she  seemed  so  sad  and 
anxious  that  I  feared  something  was  wrong." 

"  Yes,  Ahmed,  her  future  and  mine  depend  upon 
it,"  said  Djambek,  in  an  excited  tone.  "  I  must  tear 
her  from  the  claws  of  her  Jailer." 

"  What !    Will  they  try  to — "  exclaimed  Ahmed. 

"They  will  make  her  and  me  unhappy  for  life. 
Her  uncle  has  reasons  for  wishing  her  to  marry  a  man 
whom  she  hates.  I  must  risk  everything  to  prevent 
it.  I  have  no  secrets  from  you,  and  you  shall  know 
all,"  and  he  imparted  to  him  his  plan,  which  was  to 
go  at  once  to  Murgal,  and  there  make  arrangements 
for  an  abduction. 

"  And  after  that  ?  "  asked  Ahmed  gravely.  "  Have 
you  thought  of  what  is  to  follow  ?  What  will  become 
of  you  then  ?  Do  you  suppose  you  will  be  allowed  to 
quietly  settle  down  in  your  home  again  ?  " 

"  No.  I  know  too  well  that  they  will  place  every 
obstacle  in  our  path.  We  must  fly  where  their  arms 
C9,n  not  reach  us." 

"  And  never  again  place  your  foot  upon  the  pater- 
nal threshold  ?  " 

"  I  think  Cherif- Pasha  will  finally  be  reconciled 
when  he  sees  that  there  is  no  help  for  it.  I  have 
friends  and  relatives  who  will  use  their  influence  to 


A  CRY  FOR  HELP.  131 

mitigate  his  anger,  and  make  him  see  that  I  am  not 
a  husband  for  his  niece  who  is  to  be  despised." 

"  I  fear  you  take  too  hopeful  a  view.  Yon  take  it 
for  granted,  too,  that  you  will  be  successful  in  your 
purpose ;  there  are  many  things  that  may  cause  a  fail- 
ure.    What  then?" 

"  Then  ?  I  have  told  you  that  the  matter  is  de- 
cisive of  my  future.  If  my  project  succeeds,  then  I 
will  patiently  endure  banishment,  though  it  last  longer 
than  I  now  hope.  If  my  project  fails,  then  life  has  no 
further  value  to  me,  and  I  shall  know  how  to  m£^e  an 
end  of  sorrow." 

The  muezzin  raised  his  hand  reprovingly. 

"  You  will  then  be  presumptuous  enough  to  throw 
away  the  life  that  Allah  has  given  you  ?  Do  you  for- 
get that  you  have  duties  to  your  fellow-men?  that 
you  are  perhaps  called  for  a  great  work  in  behalf  of 
your  fatherland  ?  Do  you  believe  that  a  clear  head 
and  strong  arms  were  given  you  for  nothing?  No, 
Djambek,  under  such  conditions  I  will  know  nothing 
of  the  matter.  Your  first  project  is  a  violation  of  hu- 
man laws ;  against  that,  because  of  my  friendship  and 
love  for  you,  I  have  nothing  to  say.  Your  second  reso- 
lution, however,  is  a  heavy  transgression  against  the  laws 
of  Allah,  and  therefore  I  can  not,  as  a  humble  servant 
of  the  Almighty,  have  aught  to  do  with  your  project." 

"  If,  however,  I  solemnly  promise  you  not  to  be 
guilty  of  this  transgression  ?  "  said  Djambek. 

"You  say  that  as  indifferently  as  you  made  the 
threat  a  minute  ago,"  replied  Ahmed  sternly. 

"  Tell  me  this.  May  I  count  on  your  help  if  I  will 
take  a  solemn  oath  to  bear  all  ill-success  with  resigna- 
tion ?  "  continued  the  young  man. 


132  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

"  Yes,"  said  Ahmed,  after  a  little  thought. 

"  Good,  then !  here  is  my  hand.  I  swear  by  the 
memory  of  my  parents,  and  by  the  dearest  thing  I 
possess — her  love — that  I  will  not  let  my  courage  fail. 
I  will  never  give  up  hope.  If  not  now,  then  perhaps 
at  some  future  time  we  may  be  united.  But  I  am  con- 
fident of  success.     I  ask  but  two  things  of  you." 

He  drew  a  packet  from  his  pocket. 

"  These  papers,"  he  continued,  "  show  that  I  have 
all  my  ready  money  with  a  business  friend  in  the 
city.  He  is  an  honorable  man.  I  leave  these  papers 
with  you,  and  shall  go  to  him  at  once  and  notify  him 
that  in  a  few  days  a  friend  will  come  and  take  the 
money.  You  see  this  ring  ?  I  will  show  it  to  him, 
and  leave  an  impression  of  it  with  him.  To  the  bearer 
of  this  ring  he  is  to  give  the  money,  and  you  will  be 
the  bearer." 

Ahmed  threw  out  his  hands  in  the  Oriental  sign  of 
assent. 

"It  will  be  time  enough,"  Djambek  continued, 
"  if  you  get  the  money  in  a  week  from  now,  when  I 
shall  come  through  here  with  her.  My  second  request 
is  that  you  will  procure  me  a  bark,  a  good  sea-going 
vessel,  and  have  it  ready  for  me  at  the  point  where 
the  Adjaria  and  the  Tchoroch  join.  From  there  on 
we  must  have  a  large  vessel,  so  that  we  can  continue 
our  flight  across  the  sea." 

"  But  will  your  business  friend  not  be  suspicious  ? 
Is  the  sum  you  leave  with  him  a  large  one  ?  "  asked 
Ahmed. 

"  Yes,  it  is  considerable,  but  I  will  reassure  him  in 
regard  to  that.  Do  you  know  the  man  ?  His  name 
is  on  the  envelope." 


^jj^^^»!^^Wji^|.5j5t(.i|5jn.iSI^ili.^^i!,SK'^if^?!«s^^^  -       ^, -■*»-' «»^BSW^ •J""'T^^„lflllll!fjyi| 


A  CRY  FOR  HELP.  133 

Ahmed  looked  at  the  name. 

"  No,"  he  replied.  "  I  have  heard  the  name,  hut 
can  not  remember  ever  having  seen  him." 

"  You  can  let  him  think  you  are  one  of  my  tenants 
in  case  he  asks.  I  will  give  him  to  understand  that  I 
am  about  to  buy  a  new  estate,  which  will,  indeed,  be 
the  truth,  if  I  am  forced  to  turn  my  back  forever 
upon  my  native  land.  I  must  go  now.  Do  not  for- 
get, my  dear  Ahmed,  that  perhaps  my  whole  fate 
hangs  upon  your  punctuality.  I  will  return  for  a 
moment  to  bring  you  back  the  ring." 

Djambek  found  his  business  agent  at  home,  and 
arranged  with  him  to  have  the  money  ready  within  a 
few  days.  Leaving  with  him  the  impression  of  his 
signet  ring,  he  returned  to  Ahmed,  gave  him  the  ring, 
and,  with  a  warm  embrace,  bade  him  farewell. 


I  ■  .r^^J^ii^'r  ■  -■«^^-i 


CHAPTER  XL 

AN  ORIENTAL   ELOPEMENT. 

Djambek  used  the  week  in  making  observations 
in  the  locality  where  his  plan  was  to  be  carried  out. 
Taking  the  route  by  land,  a  steep  path  over  lofty 
mountains,  as  being  less  traveled  than  that  by  the 
river,  he  reached  his  destination  in  three  days. 

At  Murgal  the  river  flows  through  a  wide  valley. 
It  is  a  charming  village,  noted  for  the  salubrity  of  its 
climate,  which  is  considered  especially  good  for  those 
whose  health  has  suffered  from  the  fever  common  in 
Batoum.  Djambek  chose  an  isolated  house  close  by 
the  river,  on  the  outskirts  of  the  town,  as  his  stopping 
place.  An  old  man  lived  there  whose  support  was 
raising  fruit  and  vegetables.  Djambek  represented 
himself  to  him  as  a  business  man  engaged  in  the 
wholesale  fruit  trade,  and  desirous  of  seeing  whether 
arrangements  could  be  made  for  direct  trade  between 
Batoum  and  Murgal.  Under  this  pretense  he  soon 
made  the  acquaintance  of  many  of  the  inhabitants, 
and  easily  discovered  which  house  was  intended  as  the 
residence  of  the  pasha's  niece.  It  was  the  best  house 
in  the  vicinity.  It,  too,  lay  apart  from  others,  on  a 
slight  eminence.  In  front  was  a  thick  grove  extend- 
ing to  the  river,  and  behind  it  were  extensive  fruit 


.M< 


T^^^r-j- 


AN  ORIENTAL  ELOPEMENT.  135 

orchards.  The  grove  had  several  clumps  of  trees, 
which  were  almost  impassable,  so  thick  were  they,  and 
here  Djambek  found  a  favorable  place  for  making 
observations  of  the  house.  From  what  he  knew  of 
Thamar,  he  felt  sure  that  she  would  walk  here  in  the 
cool  of  the  evening,  and  would  especially  frequent  the 
spot  where  a  clearing  afforded  a  beautiful  view  of  the 
river.  Here  he  accordingly  prepared  his  arrangements 
for  carrying  out  his  project. 

At  first  he  had  intended  to  make  his  flight  with 
Thamar  by  the  land  route ;  but  after  experiencing  its 
difficulties  himself  he  was  unwilling  to  expose  her  to 
its  hardships  and  dangers.  It  was  therefore  necessary 
for  him  to  inform  himself  thoroughly  as  to  the  water 
route,  which  also  was  not  without  its  dangers.  There 
were  places  where  piles  of  rock  left  only  the  narrowest 
of  passages  and  sudden  turns  on  whose  sharp,  rocky 
edges  a  light  boat  might  easily  come  to  grief  unless 
there  was  an  erperienced  hand  at  the  helm.  These 
particulars  he  learned  from  the  old  man  with  whom 
he  lived ;  and  he  determined  to  engage  him  for  the 
voyage.  His  boat  was  small  and  very  light,  so  that  if 
they  were  followed  there  was  the  more  hope  of  elud- 
ing the  pursuers. 

He  therefore  asked  the  old  man  carelessly  if  he 
could  take  him  to  the  city  in  the  course  of  the  next 
few  days,  in  case  he  should  want  to  go ;  to  which  the 
old  man  assented. 

While  Djambek  was  thus  making  preparations  for 
the  release  of  his  beloved  one,  she  was  passing  anxious 
days  in  Batoum.  She  was  treated  as  a  prisoner,  and 
could  not  even  associate  with  Daria.  She  could,  there- 
fore, hear  nothing  from  Djambek,  and  did  not  even 


■       ■-  f 

I 

136  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

know  whether  he  had  received  her  letter,  still  less 
whether  he  would  make  the  attempt  to  rescue  her. 
Russudan  followed  her  every  step,  and  Cherif-Pasha 
only  showed  himself  to  speak  harsh  words  or  mutter 
dark  threats. 

At  last,  one  morning — Russudan  had  left  her  room 
just  before — Thamar  heard  a  rattling  in  the  chimney, 
and  thought  she  saw  a  stone  fall  on  the  ashes  in  the 
fireplace.  It  was  apparently  a  white  pebble  with 
black  lines  ;  but  when  she  picked  it  up,  she  saw  that 
the  black  lines  were  letters.  In  happy  surprise  she 
read  these  words,  written  in  French  : 

"Your  lover  has  prepared  everything  for  your 
release," 

This,  doubtless,  had  come  from  Daria,  and  Thamar 
blessed  the  ingenuity  of  her  friend,  which  had  taken 
such  a  weight  of  suspense  from  her  heart.  She  had 
remained  standing  by  the  fireplace,  and  now  started 
involuntarily  as  she  heard  her  name  called. 

"  Thamar,  Thamar,  how  are  you?"  she  heard  again 
in  a  few  seconds. 

"  Where  are  you  ?  "  she  asked,  looking  around  the 
room. 

"I  don't  understand  you.  Speak  more  into  the 
chimney." 

Now  she  understood.  "  You  are  there,  Da- 
ria?" 

"  Yes."  A  low  titter  came  down ;  then :  "  I  am  on 
the  roof.  Russudan  has  gone  into  the  servants'  quar- 
ters, so  I  thought  I  would  take  the  opportunity  of  mak- 
ing you  a  chimney  call." 

"  How  good  you  are,  Daria ! " 

"  You  found  the  stone  ?  " 


m 


.^^■^f^-^~Krfj^ 


AN  ORIENTAL  ELOPEMENT.  137 

"  Certainly.  If  you  only  knew  how  happy  the 
message  has  made  me ! " 

"  She  is  coming !    I  must  go.    Farewell ! " 

Russudan  was  astonished  to  find  her  charge  smil- 
ing and  apparently  happy,  when  she  had  left  her  in 
tears. 

"  You  are  surprised  ?  "  said  Thamar.  "  I  have  come 
to  the  conclusion  that  it  is  foolish  to  show  people  who 
ill-treat  you  that  their  ill-treatment  troubles  you  seri- 
ously. From  this  time  I  shall  only  laugh  at  you,  and 
all  your  ill-treatment  will  be  unable  to  draw  a  tear 
from  me." 

Russudan  shrugged  her  shoulders  indifferently. 

"You  seem  to  think,"  she  said,  "I  am  put  here 
solely  to  annoy  you.  My  only  duty  is  to  see  that  you 
do  not  again  commit  grave  offenses  against  our  cus- 
toms and  laws,  and  I  shall  prevent  you,  as  far  as  my 
power  lies,  you  may  be  sure." 

"  Really  ?  I  recognize  only  the  laws  and  customs 
of  the  land  my  mother  belonged  to.  I  fear  neither 
you  nor  my  uncle,  and  you  will  never  be  able  to  carry 
out  your  plans." 

"  Perhaps  in  the  solitude  of  Murgal  you  will  speak 
less  daringly." 

"  Do  you  think  so  ?  You  will  perhaps  be  disap- 
pointed, for  I  have  determined  to  treat  all  your  annoy- 
ances with  indifference." 

Russudan  faithfully  reported  all  this  to  her  rela- 
tive, but  the  pasha  only  shrugged  his  shoulders,  and 
said  that  Thamar  would  see  that  he  fulfilled  his  oath. 

The  day  for  the  departure  was  fixed,,  and  the  boats 
engaged.  Cherif-Pasha  was  to  stay  a  week  in  Artwin, 
and  then  return  to  Murgal,  where  Thamar  was  to  re- 


138  DJAMBBK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

main  in  the  mean  time,  to  be  joined  a  few  days  later 
by  Hassan  Bey,  who  was  coming  to  take  his  bride. 
The  indispensable  Totia,  of  course,  accompanied  the 
pasha. 

Djambek,  not  knowing  on  what  day  the  party  was 
to  arrive,  spent  most  of  his  time  in  the  grove,  whence 
he  had  a  good  view  down  the  river,  anxiously  watching 
for  the  approach  of  the  boats.  Several  days  passed, 
when,  at  length,  one  evening  toward  sundown,  a  large 
boat  was  seen  coming  up  the  river,  canning  a  numer- 
ous company.  The  boat  came  slowly  and  with  diffi- 
culty against  the  current,  and  Djambek  soon  made  out 
the  figure  of  the  pasha  standing  with  Totia  at  the  bow. 
No  female  figures  were  to  be  seen.  The  aft  part  of 
the  boat  was  occupied  by  the  pasha's  armed  escort. 

From  Djambek's  place  of  observation  he  could  see 
a  good  portion  of  the  river  in  both  directions.  The 
boat  turned  toward  the  land,  and  soon  drew  up  to  the 
shore.  A  part  of  the  escort  hurried  back  and  forth, 
loading  packages  and  boxes  on  their  shoulders,  while 
others  hastened  to  put  planks  together  to  serve  as  a 
landing  stage.  Then  a  veiled  figure  was  assisted  ashore, 
followed  by  another  whom  Djambek  recognized  as  Rus- 
sudan,  and  the  little  procession  moved  toward  the  house 
which  had  been  prepared  for  Thamar.  Totia  was  con- 
versing eagerly  with  Cherif-Pasha.  Then  they  shook 
hands,  and  Totia  sprang  ashore  and  followed  the  others. 
The  boat  was  shoved  off,  and  continued  the  journey  up 
stream. 

Totia  was  then  left  behind  with  a  guard !  This 
was  not  a  surprise,  for  it  was  to  be  expected  that  the 
pasha's  confidant  would  keep  a  close  watch  over  his 
charge. 


'WU 


"sK'^i 


AN  ORIENTAL  ELOPEMENT.  139 

Djambek  waited  until  it  was  dark,  and  then  went 
home  to  pass  a  restless  night.  He  arose  before  day- 
break and  betook  himself  to  the  grove,  though  it  must 
be  many  hours  before  Thamar  would  be  likely  to  go 
out.    His  impatience  would  allow  him  no  rest. 

Hour  after  hour  passed  with  no  sign  of  her  com- 
ing. He  regretted  now  that  he  had  not  sent  her  a 
message.  Perhaps  she  would  not  come  to  the  grove 
at  all.  He  thought  of  all  sorts  of  plans,  and  in  his 
feverish  anxiety  debated  whether  he  should  not  at- 
tempt to  enter  the  house  under  some  disguise.  But 
he  could  not  hit  on  any  scheme  that  promised  success, 
and  so  waited  with  a  weary,  anxious  heart,  as  the  fore- 
noon passed.  When  the  heated  hours  of  the  day  came 
he  left  his  place  of  concealment,  knowing  that  there 
was  now  no  chance  of  her  coming  out  until  the  cool 
of  the  evening.  After  sunset  he  came  again,  and  wait- 
ed until  it  was  fully  dark,  but  no  one  came. 

Thus  passed  the  first  day.  His  impatience  increased 
until  it  was  hardly  bearable.  It  was  so  hard  to  know 
that  his  beloved  one  was  near  him,  and  yet  to  be  obliged 
to  wait  concealed  like  a  criminal  until  some  chance 
should  bring  about  a  meeting ! 

As  he  returned  to  the  house  the  old  man  was  sit- 
ting at  the  door  engaged  in  packing  fruit  into  baskets. 
An  idea  came  to  Djambek. 

"  Do  you  sell  your  fruit  at  the  houses  about  here  ?  " 
he  asked,  as  if  greatly  interested  in  his  worthy  land- 
lord's business. 

"  Oh,  no.  The  people  here  have  enough  fruit  of 
their  own." 

"  But  I  have  heard  that  some  strangers  arrived  to- 
day.   They  might  like  to  get  such  fine  fruit  as  that." 
10 


-^S'l. i^C'-rr^-iTaT,'  V "t 7^  V' ^ ;  rA 


140  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

"  Strangers  ?  That  would  be  possible,  then ;  though 
I  don't  believe  they  would  pay  much,  for  rich  people 
don't  often  come  to  Murgal." 

"  You  are  wrong.  I  have  heard  that  these  people 
are  rich  and  distinguished." 

"  Ah  ?    Then  I'll  try  my  luck  to-morrow." 

"  I  would,"  said  Djambek  encouragingly.  "  I  know 
from  experience  that  strangers  pay  well,  especially  if  it 
is  for  something  really  excellent." 

"  I  will  take  a  basket  there  to-morrow,"  said  the  old 
man. 

"  They  are  living  in  the  house  of  Platon,  the  rich 
merchant,"  suggested  Djambek. 

"  Tchehuraderim.     I  thank  you,  effendi." 

Djambek  considered  how  he  might  use  this  to  ad- 
vantage.    After  long  thought,  he  said : 

"  They  say  there  is  a  handsome  young  girl  in  the 
party." 

The  old  man  nodded  indifferently.  His  only  in- 
terest was  whether  they  would  buy  his  fruit.  It  mat- 
tered nothing  to  him  whether  the  buyer  was  old  or 
young,  good-looking  or  ugly. 

This  indifference  somewhat  embarassed  Djambek. 
Should  he  intrust  a  message  to  the  old  man  or  not  ? 

"  You  know — ^young  people  are  very  fond  of  nice 
fruit "  he  said  at  last,  in  an  attack  of  indecision  and 
helplessness. 

"  Yes,  yes,"  said  the  other,  nodding  his  head. 

"  And  it  is  easier  to  sell  to  young  people  than 
to  old.  One  only  has  to  know  how  to  talk  and  get 
their  good  favor.     You  see  I  understand  the  busi- 


ness." 


"  You  understand,  I  see.    If  you  went  you  could 


AN  ORIENTAL  ELOPEMENT.  141 

easily  get  their  good  favor,  but  how  can  an  old  man  like 
me  talk  to  a  young  thing  ?  " 

An  adventurous  idea  passed  through  Djambek's 
mind.  Suppose  he  should  disguise  himself  and  go 
in  the  old  man's  stead  ?  But  no,  the  danger  of  detec- 
tion was  too  great. 

"  Well,  you  might  say  to  her,"  he  continued,  after  a 
moment's  pause,  "  that  the  air  is  very  fine  here ;  that 
there  are  some  beautiful  views  to  be  had,  and  fine,  cool 
places  under  the  trees.  I  found  a  beautiful  place  quite 
near  the  house.  In  the  grove  there  it  is  delightfully 
cool,  and  one  gets  a  beautiful  view  of  the  river,  too." 

"  Yes,  that  is  so." 

"  You  may  be  sure  she  will  be  thankful  for  the  in- 
formation." 

"  I  will  follow  your  advice."  He  had  now  finished 
his  work  and  arose.  "  A  peaceful  night  to  you,  effen- 
di,"  he  said  courteously. 

"  Oedjeler  Tchayr  olsun"  said  Djambek,  returning 
the  salutation. 

The  next  forenoon  Thamar  heard  a  voice  in  the 
court  calling  out :  "  Fruit,  melons,  figs,  peaches,  buy ! 
buy ! "  She  looked  out  of  the  window  and  saw  an  old 
man  with  a  basket  of  fine  fruit  on  his  head.  She 
hurried  down.  At  the  entrance  she  met  Eussudan, 
and  together  they  went  out  to  the  fruit  seller. 

The  old  man  took  down  the  basket  from  his  head 
and  spread  out  his  fruit  temptingly.  As  he  answered 
Bussudan's  inquiry  as  to  the  price  of  a  melon,  she 
clapped  her  hands  together : 

"  "What !  are  you  out  of  your  senses  ?  "  she  exclaimed. 
*'  One  can  buy  a  melon  for  a  quarter  of  that  price  in 
Batoumi.'* 


;  ■  i7\*f;- -Tyf^'^-.'*;'/;  -^J^T" 


142  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

"  Not  so  fine  and  fresh  as  this  mistress,"  he  said, 
and  then  remembering  Djambek's  advice,  he  added, 
turning  smilingly  to  the  young  girl :  "  Fair  lady,  see 
these  peaches.  Have  you  such  as  these  in  the  city  ? 
Try  one,  and  you  will  not  be  able  to  let  them  go.  It 
will  do  you  good.  You  are  a  little  pale,  fair  mistress, 
but  be  patient  a  few  days  ;  the  air  of  Murgal  will  bring 
the  roses  back  to  your  cheeks.  Only  you  must  go  out — 
there  in  the  grove  it  is  beautiful ;  one  can  see  down  the 
river  and  over  to  the  mountains,  and  the  fresh  air  on 
the  water — " 

"  You  are  an  old  gossip,"  interrupted  Bussudan 
harshly.  "  You  are  mistaken  if  you  think  we  will  pay 
dearer  for  your  fruit  for  that." 

"  You  will  buy  my  basket  ?  "  he  said  to  Thamar. 
"  If  you  knew  how  pleasant  it  is  there  in  the  shade 
and  how  good  fruit  tastes  there.  A  fine  young  man 
who  is  stopping  with  me  goes  there  almost  every  day 
and  can't  say  enough  about  the  beauty  of  the  place 
and  the  fineness  of  my  fruit.    He  is  a  handsome — " 

"  Be  still,  you  fool,"  said  Eussudan  angrily,  while 
Thamar's  cheeks  flushed  red.  "  Do  you  know  whom 
you  are  speaking  to  ?  " 

"  He  told  me  you  were  distinguished  people  from 
Batoum." 

"He?    Who?" 

"  Why  the  young  man — " 

"  Give  me  the  peaches,"  said  Thamar  hastily,  for 
she  thought  she  understood  at  whose  suggestion  the 
old  man  had  come.  "  And  don't  you  want  the  melons, 
Eussudan?    The  figs,  too,  look  good." 

"No,  they  are  too  .dear  for  me,"  replied  Eussu- 
dan coldly. 


L-i!#' 


AN  ORIENTAL  ELOPEMENT.  143 

"  Leave  your  basket  here,"  said  Thamar,  "  you  can 
come  and  get  it  to-morrow.  Here  is  your  money." 
The  old  man  took  the  money,  touched  his  breast,  lips, 
and  forehead  with  his  right  hand  in  salutation  and 
went  his  way. 

Russudan's  suspicions  were  awakened,  and  she 
resolved  to  be  on  her  guard.  Had  not  Thamar  be- 
trayed herself,  the  old  man's  words  might  have  passed 
unnoticed,  but  the  girl's  evident  embarrassment  when 
the  young  man  was  spoken  of  gave  her  watchful 
guardian  something  to  think  about,  though  she  was  by 
no  means  certain  what  the  danger  was.  She  deter- 
mined to  watch  Thamar  more  closely  than  ever,  and 
when  the  latter  that  evening  left  the  house,  she  fol- 
lowed her  at  a  safe  distance. 

Thamar  wandered  through  the  grove  in  all  direc- 
tions, carefully  followed  by  Russudan,  who  hid  behind 
a  tree  whenever  the  girl  was  likely  to  see  her.  Sud- 
denly the  latter  saw  the  girl  stop  and  listen  for  an  in- 
stant, and  then  swiftly  pass  behind  a  thicket.  Care- 
fully gliding  from  tree  to  tree,  the  elder  woman  fol- 
lowed until  she  came  to  where  Thamar  had  so  sud- 
edenly  stopped.  No  sound  disturbed  the  quiet  of  the 
grove.  But  when  she  had  gone  a  little  distance 
farther  she  heard  the  sound  of  soft  whispering.  The 
thicket  here  was  so  closely  grown  that  a  bird  could 
hardly  have  passed  through;  crouching  close  to  the 
ground,  she  listened  with  aU  her  ears. 

The  whispers  were  so  low  that  she  could  only  now 
and  then  catch  a  syllable,  but  there  was  no  doubt  but 
that  Thamar  was  with  some  second  person.  Russu- 
dan kept  her  place,  patiently  waiting  until  the  others 
should  show  themselves. 


^: 


144:  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

But  after  a  while  this  trial  of  patience  became  too 
much  for  her.  The  occasional  words  she  caught 
showed  that  the  two  had  much  to  tell  each  other,  and 
she  found  little  satisfaction  in  taking  so  unsatisfactory 
a  part  in  the  affair.  She  crept  forward  carefully  to 
make  no  noise,  and  at  last  found  an  opening  through 
which  one  might  with  some  difficulty  pass.  Like  a 
cat  creeping  upon  its  prey,  she  slowly,  carefully  crept 
through  the  opening  until  she  was  stopped  by  a 
huge  rock  that  stood  in  the  way.  She  tried  for 
some  time  in  vain  to  pass  around  the  obstruction 
when,  suddenly  overhearing  words,  she  made  the 
pleasing  discovery  that  the  pair  were  seated  directly 
behind  the  rock.  An  opening  at  one  side,  she  discov- 
ered, would  enable  her  to  hear  quite  distinctly  all  that 
was  said.  She  laid  her  ear  close  to  the  opening  and 
listened. 

"  All  sorrow  shall  now  be  at  an  end,  dearest ;  to- 
morrow at  this  time  we  shall  be  far  beyond  the  reach 
of  our  enemies." 

"  Are  you  not  afraid  they  will  overtake  us  ?  " 
"  No.  At  sunrise  all  in  the  house  will  still  be  sleep- 
ing. By  the  time  they  discover  your  flight  we  shall 
be  far  on  our  way.  I  would  have  preferred  going  to- 
night, but  the  nights  are  dark  now,  and  there  are  some 
dangerous  places  in  the  river.  So  we  must  have  pa- 
tience until  morning.  We  can  reach  Batoum  in  six 
hours — ^four  hours  more  and  we  are  in  Poti — then  over 
the  boundary  into  safety ! " 

"  How  happy  I  shall  be  there,  my  beloved ! " 
Russudan  knew  enough.    There  was  nothing  more 
to  be  gained  by  listening,  and  she  had  no  time  to  lose 
if  she  would  defeat  their  plans.    Carefully  leaving  her 


■i.»sf35f^f;: 


AN  ORIENTAL  ELOPEMENT.  I45 

hiding-place,  she  glided  through  the  thicket  and  ran 
to  the  house,  as  fast  as  she  could  go. 

Totia,  who  was  walking  up  and  down  in  the  court, 
started  with  astonishment  as  she  came  panting  in. 

"  Quick  !  come  to  my  room.  Important  news ! " 
she  exclaimed  breathlessly.  Arrived  in  her  room,  she 
locked  the  door  and  told  him  all  she  had  heard. 

"  So  then  the  pretty  pair  intend  running  away,  do 
they  ? "  said  Totia  with  an  evil  smile.  He  let  his 
companion  go  on  in  excited  talk,  while  he  thought- 
fully considered  matters  with  himself.  Then  he 
motioned  to  Kussudan  to  be  silent.  "  It  would  be 
easy,"  he  said,  "  to  fall  upon  the  fellow  and  capture 
him." 

"Yes,"  assented  Russudan.  "I  know  where  he 
lives." 

"  I  do  not  think,  however,  that  that  would  be  the 
best  way.    It  would  be  better  to  catch  him  in  a  net." 

"  The  simplest  way  would  be  to  make  him  harmless 
on  the  spot." 

"  If  we  surprise  them  now,  they  can  deny  every- 
thing, while  proof  will  be  beyond  question  if  we  catch 
them  in  the  act.  Will  you  allow  me  to  manage  it  ? 
Cherif-Pasha  will  be  under  obligations  to  us  both." 

"  I  do  not  see  what  good  their  denial  would  do 
them,  since  I  heard  with  my  own  ears." 

"  Yes,  yes !  but  your  evidence  alone  is  not  sufficient 
to  make  me  safe  in  seizing  the  would-be  abductor." 

Totia  had  a  plan  in  his  mind  which  he  wished  to 
keep  to  himself.  He  lied  certainly  in  saying  he  would 
not  have  the  right  to  seize  Djambek.  But  in  that 
case  Russudan  would  get  all  the  credit,  while  on  the 
other  hand,  he  wished  to  play  the  chief  rdle  himselE. 


146  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

"  You  may  be  sure  I  will  do  what  is  best,''  he  said. 
"  I  know  you  will,"  replied  Russudan.  "  Only  I 
thought  the  simplest  and  safest  way  would  be  to  place 
the  audacious  robber  in  chains,  and  keep  the  girl  in 
the  house  under  lock  and  key." 

"That  they  might  use  the  next  opportunity?  I 
could  certainly  remove  him  from  here  by  force ;  but 
in  no  case  could  I  imprison  him." 

"  Very  well,  you  know  best." 

"  Yes,  believe  me.  We  must  let  them  put  their 
plan  into  execution,  and  then  we  shall  have  caught 
them  in  a  trap.  Cherif- Pasha  can  then  use  his  power 
to  make  the  young  man  forever  harmless." 

Russudan  nodded  in  assent,  and  seemed  only  wait- 
ing to  hear  the  particulars  of  his  plan.  But  he  showed 
no  inclination  to  disclose  them.  "  I  will  set  out  to- 
day for  Batoum,"  he  said,  "  and  to-morrow  the  mes- 
senger will  start  to  bring  you  the  news  of  the  cap- 
ture. But  not  a  syllable  must  she  hear;  we  must 
act  as  if  we  had  not  the  slightest  suspicion  of  their 
plans." 

"  But  tell  me  what—" 

"  Hush !    She  is  coming." 

Thamar  appeared  at  the  entrance  to  the  house,  and 
Totia  hurried  toward  her. 

"Have  you  any  message  for  Cherif  -  Pasha  ?  "  he 
asked.  "  I  have  just  learned  that  he  needs  my  serv- 
ices in  Artwin." 

"  And  when  are  you  going  to  leave  ? "  she  asked 
in  pleased  surprise,  for  his  absence  would  be  very 
favorable  to  their  plans. 

"  In  an  hour,"  he  replied. 

"I  have  no  message.    A  pleasant  journey!"  and 


AN  ORIENTAL  ELOPEMENT.  147 

she  hastened  into  the  house,  fearing  lest  he  would 
notice  her  pleasure  at  his  going  away. 

Totia  threw  a  meaning  look  at  Russudan.  "  Now, 
be  cautious,"  he  said  in  a  low  tone ;  "  do  not  let  her 
see  that  we  know  their  plans,  and  we  are  sure  of 
them." 


f  .^r?^ 


CHAPTER  XII. 

IN  THE   HANDS   OF  THE   ENEMY. 

The  stars  were  still  shining  when  Djambek  awak- 
ened his  landlord. 

"  It  is  time  to  go,"  he  said ;  "  get  your  boat  ready, 
and  manage  to  be  to  the  black  rocks  before  it  is  light. 
I  will  meet  you  there.  I  have  important  business,  and 
must  be  in  Batoum  before  noon.  Look !  "  he  added, 
drawing  a  purse  from  his  pocket  and  jingling  the 
coins ; "  this  shall  be  yours  as  soon  as  we  are  away  from 
shore." 

The  next  morning  the  old  man  had  been  waiting 
some  little  time  at  the  black  rocks  when  Djambek 
appeared.  Before  the  man  could  say  a  word,  Djambek 
sprang  into  the  boat,  and  assisted  in  a  closely  veiled 
female  figure  who  had  followed  him. 

"Stop!  that  is  contrary  to  our  agreement,"  said 
the  boatman.  "  I  will  have  nothing  to  do  with  this 
business.     There  is  something  wrong  in  it." 

"  Fool !  why  need  you  worry  about  it  ?  I  have 
hired  your  boat,  and  it  belongs  to  me  until  you  land 
me  at  my  destination,  and  no  one  can  deny  my  right 
to  take  some  one  with  me  if  I  choose." 

"  I  will  not  be  mixed  up  in  the  business,"  persisted 
the  boatman.    "  Here  !  take  back  your  money." 


m  THE  HANDS  OF  THE  ENEMY.  149 

Djambek,  with  a  sndden  movement,  grasped  an 
oar,  and  with  a  vigorous  push  sent  the  boat  flying 
into  midstream  like  an  arrow. 

"  Now,  we  will  talk  further,"  he  said,  pushing  the 
man  away  from  the  tiller,  and  grasping  it  firmly.  "  Do 
not  be  a  fool !  how  can  my  affairs  concern  you  ?  And, 
at  any  rate,  I  am  doing  nothing  unlawful." 

"  You  must  first  prove  that  to  me  before  the  au- 
thorities." 

"  And  lose  valuable  time  on  your  account !  You 
try  my  patience  too  far.    It  will  soon  be  at  an  end." 

"  But  I  will  have  nothing  to  do  with  a  matter 
that—" 

"  Whether  you  will  or  not  concerns  me  very  little. 
I  am  master  of  the  boat  now,  and  mean  to  remain  so." 

Thamar  had  anxiously  listened  to  the  dispute  in 
silence,  but  now  she  summoned  up  her  courage,  and 
spoke  to  the  man. 

"  Be  reasonable !  My — ^husband  has  told  you  that 
a  loss  of  time  would  greatly  injure  us.  You  are  a 
business  man  yourself,  and  know  that  there  are  times 
when  one  must  keep  an  appointment  at  any  cost. 
Your  trouble  will  be  well  paid  for.  She  raised  her 
arm,  on  which  sparkled  a  heavy  gold  band.  "  Besides 
what  you  have  been  promised,  you  shall  have  this  in 
addition,"  she  said. 

"  Why  do  so  ?  "  cried  Djambek  reproachfully,  to 
arouse  the  man's  cupidity.  "  As  the  idiot  appears  to 
regret  our  bargain,  he  may  carry  us  back  to  shore  and 
pay  back  the  money  I  have  given  him.  Somebody 
else  will  be  glad  enough  to  let  us  have  a  boat.  Go 
back,"  he  commanded  the  old  man. 

The  artifice  succeeded.    The  old  man  had  suspect- 


JfyfF 


150  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

ed  at  Once  that  this  was  a  case  of  elopement,  but  the 
heavy  reward  silenced  his  scruples.  "  As  far  as  I  am 
concerned,  I  am  willing  to  take  you  to  your  destina- 
tion, though  I  am  very  sure  there  is  something  wrong 
in  the  matter." 

The  boat  had  swiftly  floated  with  the  current  dur- 
ing the  dispute.  The  man  laid  his  hand  on  the  tiller. 
"  Allow  me,  master,  there  are  some  bad  places  soon." 

There  was  no  need  of  rowing.  The  current  carried 
the  boat  along  as  if  driven  by  steam.  The  valley  be- 
came narrower,  and  the  shores  steep  and  rocky,  until 
finally  they  rose  like  walls  on  either  side,  so  high  in 
places  as  to  almost  shut  out  the  daylight.  Beyond 
mountains  rose  to  the  sky,  and  here  and  there  streams 
dashed  thundering  down  the  cliffs.  The  boat  dashed 
rapidly  on,  tossed  from  one  wave  to  another,  and  the 
boatman  had  to  use  his  utmost  skill  to  avoid  the  huge 
rocks  that  here  and  there  showed  above  the  surface. 

Thamar  was  silent,  anxiously  holding  her  compan- 
ion's hand  and  pressing  it  involuntarily  in  alarm  when 
they  approached  a  specially  dangerous  place.  The 
river  curved  in  places  so  suddenly  that  they  held  their 
breath  as  the  boat  seemed  headed  directly  on  the  rocky 
banks ;  it  seemed  as  if  the  next  instant  there  would  be 
a  crash,  and  their  frail  boat  be  dashed  into  a  thousand 
pieces,  but  in  the  same  moment  the  bow  would  turn  at 
a  sharp  angle  and  avoid  the  danger  as  by  a  hair.  It 
required  continually  a  sharp  eye  and  a  strong  arm 
at  the  helm  to  prevent  them  from  being  wrecked. 
As  the  river  became  narrower  the  stream  thundered, 
foamed,  and  dashed  the  more.  Coming  up  stream  the 
passage  had  not  seemed  to  Thamar  so  dreadful  j  they 
had  come  in  a  large,  heavy  boat,  on  which  the  water 


* 

IN  THE  HANDS  OF  THE  ENEMY.    151 

dashed  with  little  power,  while  the  bark  they  were  in 
now  was  small  and  of  the  frailest  construction. 

Djambek,  too,  had  become  silent.  Although  the 
boatman  seemed  to  have  grown  up  to  his  work,  there 
were  times  when  the  slightest  accident  would  have 
brought  about  a  catastrophe ;  times  when,  if  the  rud- 
der failed  to  work,  or,  indeed,  broke,  as  might  easily 
happen,  all  skill  would  be  in  vain,  and  it  was  doubtful 
in  such  a  case,  whether  they  could  by  swimming  have 
escaped  from  the  seething  waves.  Djambek  constantly 
held  himself  in  readiness  to  attempt  Thamar's  rescue 
should  the  necessity  come  for  it. 

Gradually  the  stream  widened,  and  they  finally 
came  into  still  water.    Djambek  breathed  eafeier. 

"  That  was  a  bad  piece,"  he  said  to  the  old  man  at 
the  rudder.    "  You  did  bravely." 

"  The  worst  is  still  to  come,"  he  returned,  lighting 
his  pipe.  "  Not  far  from  where  the  two  streams  meet 
is  the  worst  place." 

"  Then  we  will  land  sooner,"  said  Djambek.  "  'Neax 
the  Adjaria  there  will  be  a  sail  boat,  which  we  shall  take 
for  the  rest  of  the  journey." 

"  Then  I  need  not  go  with  you  to  Batoum  ?  " 

"No." 

"  So  much  the  better.  But  you  should  have  had 
your  other  boat  come  farther.  The  bad  part  com- 
mences above  the  Adjaria,  and  if  I  land  you  there,  you 
will  have  a  good  haK-day's  walk  before  you  come  to 
your  boat." 

"  Unfortunately,  I  did  not  know  that.  We  shall 
then  have  to  rely  on  your  skill,  and  hope  that  you  will 
safely  bring  us  through."- 

"  Have  no  fear.    When  one  has  made  the  trip  once 


^i;jy,-y[C^^;^;y^C^^7''^'^p^,if^W,!im 


152  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

a  week  for  twenty  years,  as  I  have,  he  knows  the  dan- 
gerous places  well  enough  to  avoid  them." 

The  water  here  being  less  confined  flowed  more 
smoothly  and  slowly,  and  their  course  was  not  so 
rapid.  But  soon  they  came  again  into  narrow  places, 
and  in  addition  there  suddenly  burst  upon  them  a 
violent  storm.  The  lightning  flashed  almost  continu- 
ously, lighting  up  the  dark  passes,  and  the  thunder 
rolled  like  a  cannonade,  echoing  among  the  rocky 
heights.  The  wind  howled  and  whistled  through  the 
narrow  passes,  and  drove  the  water  into  high  waves, 
which  tossed  the  boat  dangerously.  Djambek  had 
wrapped  Thamar  in  his  cloak  to  shield  her  from  the 
rain,  Avhich  came  in  torrents. 

"  I  shall  remember  this  as  long  as  I  live,"  he  said, 
as  a  pale-blue  flash  glided  down  the  rocks,  like  a  huge, 
fiery  serpent,  not  far  from  them,  followed  instantly  by 
a  peal  of  thunder  which  made  their  boat  tremble. 

Thamar  could  not  speak.  She  had  covered  her 
face  with  her  hands,  frightened  at  the  blinding  flash 
of  the  lightning,  and  pressed  close  to  Djambek,  who, 
with  his  arm  about  her,  tried  to  reassure  her.  Even 
the  old  man  could  not  repress  exclamations  of  alarm, 
for  the  rain  dashing  in  his  face  blinded  him,  and  should 
they  at  such  a  moment  run  against  a  rock,  destruction 
was  sure.  The  clouds,  too,  had  settled  down  so  thick- 
ly that,  except  when  the  lightning  lighted  up  the  sur- 
roundings for  an  instant,  it  was  difficult  to  see  what 
was  ahead.     Creaking  and  tossing,  the  boat  dashed  on. 

At  last  there  came  a  pause  in  the  storm,  and  the 
sky  began  to  grow  brighter.  A  heavy  sound  like  that 
of  far-off  cannon  could  be  heard  in  the  direction  they 
were  going. 


^TWlWSp^W?  'H1P''*''^S''^^^3^^^  "''^^  -S3-««-™fli«^-.5™i^ ' 


IN  THE  HANDS  OP  THE  ENEMY.    153 

"  That  is  the  Adjaria,"  cried  the  boatman,  point- 
ing to  a  towering  mass  of  rock  directly  in  their  course. 
With  all  his  strength  he  threw  himself  on  the  rudder, 
and  in  a  wide  curve  the  boat  shot  around  the  reef. 
They  now  had  an  open  view,  and  Djambek  noticed 
a  large  sailing  boat  lying  some  five  hundred  yards 
away. 

"  Is  that  your  boat  ?  "  asked  the  old  man. 

Djambek  nodded.    "  I  suppose  it  is,"  he  answered. 

There  was  another  place  to  pass  where  the  leaping, 
foaming  waves  showed  that  there  were  many  rocks 
beneath  the  surface,  and  the  boatman  had  to  use  his 
utmost  skill  to  avoid  the  danger.  The  boat  swung 
now  to  the  right,  then  to  the  left,  then  turned  sharply 
toward  the  shore.  At  this  instant  there  was  a  crash, 
and  the  boatman,  who  had  been  holding  the  tiller  with 
all  his  strength,  was  hurled  into  the  stream. 

At  first  Djambek  only  saw  that  their  companion  had 
disappeared.  But  he  instantly  recovered  his  self-pos- 
session, and  leaped  to  the  stern  of  the  boat  to  give  the 
unfortunate  man  assistance,  but  there  was  no  sign  of 
him  to  be  seen.  The  boat  in  the  mean  time  was  driven 
rudderless  through  the  tossing  waters,  but  vdth  ex- 
traordinary good  fortune  escaped  striking  the  rocks. 
But  presently  it  was  carried  directly  toward  the  large 
boat  they  had  seen  in  a  current  so  strong  that  it 
tossed  them  as  if  mad  and  hurried  them  on  at  a  rate 
that  almost  took  away  their  breath.  Djambek  saw 
that  a  great  danger  threatened  them.  If  the  boat 
with  this  terrible  momentum  were  dashed  against  the 
other,  both  would  undoubtedly  be  shattered  in  pieces. 
He  threw  a  swift  glance  to  right  and  left,  and  saw 
that  the  roughest  part  was  behind  them.    In  an  in- 


•    '  ■  -  '  f  ■ 

164  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

stant  he  saw  that  their  only  hope  of  escape  was  to 
throw  himself  with  Thamar  into  the  water  and  swim 
to  the  other  boat.  There  was  no  time  for  considera- 
tion, for  they  were  approaching  with  terrible  swiftness. 
He  grasped  Thamar  firmly  around  the  waist. 

"  Come,  darling  ! "  he  said  gently,  but  firmly. 

She  obeyed  without  a  word,  and  both  slowly  let 
themselves  over  the  side  of  the  boat,  and  for  a  few 
moments  clung  to  it.  Then  Djambek  let  go  his  hold, 
and  with  all  his  strength  strove  to  keep  himself  and 
Thamar  above  water. 

The  accident  had  been  seen  from  the  larger  boat, 
and  a  number  of  people  stood  ready  with  ropes  to  help 
them  at  the  right  moment.  Djambek,  holding  Tha- 
mar with  one  arm,  was  now  carried  by  the  swift  current 
close  by  the  boat,  and  fortunately  succeeded  in  grasp- 
ing one  of  the  ropes  that  was  thrown  to  him.  A  few 
minutes  later  both  were  drawn  into  the  boat. 

Djambek's  first  thought  as  soon  as  he  had  recovered 
his  breath  was  to  look  for  Ahmed,  but  he  saw  only 
strangers  about  him,  who  stared  at  him  curiously. 
Then  one  of  them  motioned  to  him  to  follow  him  to 
the  tent  on  the  forward  deck,  where  Thamar  had  been 
carried.  As  he  reached  the  entrance,  the  folds  were 
thrown  back,  and  there  stood  Hassan  Bey,  while  over 
his  shoulder  the  face  of  Totia  grinned  maliciously. 

"  An  unexpected  meeting,  is  it  not  ?  "  said  Hassan 
Bey,  an  angry  fire  flashing  from  his  eyes. 

"  Unexpected  and  unwished,"  said  Djambek  grimly. 

"Young  man,  your  plan  has  miscarried.  Your 
little  game  with  us  was  not  so  easily  won  as  you 
thought  it  would  be,"  said  the  other. 

"What  have  you  to  do  with  my  affairs?"   said 


jf"" 


qf-jji^-i,  ^e-j-;;;- 


IN  THE  HANDS  OF  THE  ENEMY.  155 

Djambek  fiercely.  "  What  right  have  you  to  address 
me  in  such  a  tone  ?    Am  I  your  subject  ?  " 

"  Just  now  you  are  simply  my  prisoner,"  returned 
the  other,  and  before  Djambek  could  defend  himself, 
they  had  seized  him  from  behind,  bound  his  hands  and 
feet,  and  carried  him  to  the  stem  of  the  vessel,  where 
they  left  him  lying  on  the  deck. 

Djambek  ground  his  teeth  in  rage,  and  cursed  the 
fortune  that  had  brought  him  into  the  hands  of  his 
enemies.  There  could  be  no  self-delusion  as  to  the 
seriousness  of  his  position.  What  he  had  done  was  a 
double  crime,  since  he  had  dared  to  abduct  a  relative 
of  the  ruler  of  the  land.  His  fate  hung  on  Cherif- 
Pasha's  will  alone.  There  was  Artschil,  but  the  best 
he  could  hope  to  do  would  be  to  prevent  his  being 
put  to  death.  He  could  raise  no  protest  against  a 
long,  perhaps  life-long,  term  of  imprisonment. 

And  now  another  thought  tortured  the  prisoner ; 
should  he  ascribe  it  simply  to  misfortune  that  he  had 
fallen  into  the  hands  of  his  enemies,  or  had  be  been 
betrayed?  And  if  betrayed,  by  whom?  A  single  per- 
son came  into  his  thoughts — Ahmed.  The  thought 
that  a  man  who  had  received  only  kindness  at  his 
hands  could  so  requite  him,  brought  tears  of  pain  and 
anger  to  his  eyes,  and  he  struggled  with  the  chains 
that  bound  him,  as  if  he  thought  he  could  break  them 
like  cords. 

In  the  mean  time  the  vessel  glided  rapidly  down 
stream,  and  soon  passed  a  large  sloop  lying  in  a  little 
bay.  D jambek's  glance  mechanically  fell  upon  it  He 
saw  a  well-known  face  which  for  an  instant  looked  at 
the  passing  vessel,  and  then  anxiously  gazed  in  the 
direction  from  which  they  had  come.  Ahmed !  The 
11 


"W, 


156'  BJ^MBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

muezzin  shaded  his  eyes  with  his  hand,  and  looked 
earnestly  up  the  river,  paying  no  more  attention  to 
Hassan  Bey's  boat.  He  was  then  waiting  for  the 
fugitives.  Had  his  anxiety  led  him  to  come  further 
than  the  appointed  place,  or  was  it,  perhaps,  merely  a 
comedy  to  avoid  the  appearance  of  treachery  ?  Djam- 
bek  could  not  decide. 

Soon  the  minarets  and  domes  of  Batoum  came  in 
sight,  and  the  vessel  turned  toward  the  shore,  where  a 
number  of  vehicles  and  a  small  body  of  armed  men  were 
waiting.  The  prisoner  had  hoped  to  see  Thamar,  but 
he  was  disappointed.  A  number  of  men  seized  him 
and  carried  him  to  a  wagon.  The  armed  men  ranged 
themselves  on  each  side,  and  then  all  proceeded  to 
the  city  at  a  sharp  trot.  He  looked  back  in  vain. 
There  was  no  sign  of  Thamar  to  be  seen. 

When  the  company  in  charge  of  the  prisoner  had 
got  out  of  sight,  Hassan  Bey  and  Totia  left  the  vessel. 
Thamar  was  placed  in  a  carriage,  and  by  another  route 
taken  to  Cherif-Pasha's  house. 


'iiik^ 


T>^)V  "^S^    i    ,  5  '  -Vy   7  ~  *  ' 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

A    FRIEND    IJST   NEED. 

The  city  prison  was  in  an  old  building  which  a 
speculator  had  planned  on  a  large  scale  for  an  inn, 
but  who,  failing  in  business,  had  been  glad  to  dispose 
of  it  half  finished  to  the  government.  The  better  part 
of  the  building  was  occupied  by  the  police.  At  the 
end  of  one  of  the  wings  were  a  few  cells  for  prisoners. 
In  one  of  these  sat  Djambek,  awaiting  the  return  of 
Cherif-Pasha,  who,  without  doubt,  would  dispose  of 
his  case  summarily. 

The  prisoner  was  in  a  most  dejected  state.  The 
catastrophe  which  had  ruined  all  his  plans  was  ever 
in  his  thoughts,  and  he  always  came  to  the  conclusion 
that  Ahmed  had  played  the  part  of  a  traitor.  Had  he 
been  more  composed  in  mind,  the  fact  of  Totia's  pres- 
ence at  the  time  of  his  capture  would  have  impressed 
him  more,  as  he  had  seen  him  leave  Murgal,  and  Tha- 
mar  had  repeatedly  expressed  her  relief  at  his  intended 
absence.  But  in  the  moment  when  Djambek  so  un- 
expectedly found  himself  face  to  face  with  his  rival, 
he  had  been  so  startled  at  the  unlocked  for  meeting, 
that  he  had  hardly  noticed  the  other's  presence,  and 
he  was  now  so  occupied  with  the  thought  of  Ahmed's 
treachery  that  Totia  was  put  quite  in  the  background. 


168  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

When  now  and  then  by  a  strong  effort  of  the  will 
he  succeeded  in  putting  aside  these  gloomy  thoughts, 
it  was  only  to  look  into  the  future  with  despair — a 
future  that  was  veiled  in  black  clouds.  In  five  or  six 
days  the  governor  would  return,  and  Djambek  could 
easily  guess  what  his  fate  then  would  be. 

The  affair  made  a  great  sensation  in  the  city,  and 
Artschil  of  course  heard  of  it.  He  had  endeavored  to 
obtain  an  interview  with  the  prisoner,  but  his  request 
to  see  him  was  refused.  The  pasha  must  decide  the 
matter,  and  in  the  mean  time  Hassan  Bey  thought  it 
proper  to  keep  the  prisoner  in  solitary  confinement. 
To  satisfy  his  personal  vengeance,  Hassan  Bey  had 
ordered  that  no  food  or  drink  should  be  given  him. 
This  would  bring  him  to  a  proper  state  of  mind,  he 
said  grimly,  and  prepare  him  for  what  was  shortly  to 
come. 

Djambek  suffered  greatly  under  these  hard  condi- 
tions. His  cell  was  a  close,  narrow  room.  He  had 
little  desire  for  food,  but  thirst  caused  him  endless  tor- 
ments. Had  there  been  any  guard  to  be  seen,  Djam- 
bek would  have  attempted  to  bribe  him  to  give  him  a 
few  drops  of  water.  To  be  sure,  he  had  nothing  of 
value  with  him,  as  he  had  thrown  away  his  weapons 
when  he  sprang  into  the  water,  and  what  money  and 
jewelry  he  had  had  with  him  had  been  taken  away  by 
Hassan  Bey's  people.  Still  he  might  perhaps  have 
made  a  bargain  with  his  silk  girdle  or  richly  embroid- 
ered jacket.  But  no  one  came,  and  he  had  to  aban- 
don this  hope.  His  cell  had  two  small  barred  windows, 
one  looking  on  to  a  court,  and  the  other  on  a  small 
grass-plot  on  the  border  of  a  swamp. 

Two  days  and  nights  passed  thus,  and  he  felt  a 


*^ 


w^: 


■f^  ~ 


A  FRIEND  IN  NEED.  159 

deadly  lethargy  coming  over  him.  His  power  of  con- 
secutive thought  weakened,  and  the  remembrance  of 
what  had  happened  was  mingled  with  various  fan- 
tastic pictures.  The  old  man  who  had  guided  the 
boat  and  who  had  found  his  death  beneath  the  rush- 
ing waters,  now  occupied  his  mind  almost  exclusively, 
and  it  seemed  to  him  as  if  the  drowned  man  sat  by  his 
side  and  demanded  recompense  for  his  death.  As 
the  day  waned  it  seemed  to  him  as  if  the  old  boat- 
man became  more  importunate,  saying  that  he  had 
to  go  home  that  night,  as  he  had  agreed  with  Cherif- 
Pasha  that  he  would  be  drowned  again  before  his 
eyes. 

Finally  Djambek  sprang  up  and  ran  up  and  down 
the  cell  like  a  tiger  in  his  cage.  He  muttered  discon- 
nected words,  clinched  his  fists,  and  at  last  began  to 
tear  at  the  bars  of  his  window.  It  had  become  quite 
dark,  but  in  spite  of  the  darkness,  he  thought  he  saw 
the  old  man's  face  before  the  window.  "  Djambek ! 
Djambek ! "  he  heard  his  name  called,  and  sprang  back 
in  terror  to  avoid  the  old  boatman,  who  doubtless  now, 
he  thought,  intended  to  insist  upon  his  reward.  At 
that  moment  something  fell  upon  the  floor  of  his  cell. 
What  was  that  ?  He  had  heard  something  chink  like 
a  piece  of  money.  Had  then  the  old  boatman  in  his 
anger  thrown  down  at  his  feet  the  purse  he  had  given 
him  ?  His  nerves  were  so  shaken  that  he  did  not  dare 
to  feel  for  it.  He  crept  to  his  bench  and  threw  himself 
down.  At  last  he  fell  into  an  uneasy  slumber,  and 
when  he  awoke  it  was  broad  day.  He  had  entirely 
forgotten  the  incident  of  the  night  before,  and  was 
astonished  to  see  upon  the  floor  a  little  packet  done  up 
in  some  gray  material.    In  the  instant  as  he  bent  over 


160  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

to  pick  it  up  his  remembrance  came  back  to  him. 
But  it  was  no  purse  thrown  by  a  ghostly  hand. 
Quickly  he  loosed  the  string  and  unrolled  the  pack- 
age. It  contained  a  number  of  iron  instruments,  and 
Djambek  saw  at  once  that  some  friend  was  helping 
him.  He  now  had  a  means  of  escape.  It  was  not  a 
difficult  task,  for  when  he  inspected  the  window  bars 
closely,  he  found  that  each  was  fastened  separately  in 
the  wood-work.  The  distance  from  the  ground  was 
inconsiderable. 

The  prospect  of  regaining  his  freedom  gave  him 
back  his  strength.  He  felt  no  longer  hunger  or  thirst. 
The  hallucinations  of  yesterday  vanished,  and  he 
counted  with  impatience  the  hours  until  dusk.  Then 
he  commenced,  and  when  darkness  fully  came,  his 
work  was  nearly  finished.  He  waited  a  while  until 
those  in  the  building  should  be  asleep.  He  threw 
himself  on  his  bench  to  consider  how  he  might  best 
escape  the  pursuit  of  his  enemies.  At  first  he  thought 
of  going  directly  to  Murza-Khan  and  asking  him  to 
let  him  have  one  of  his  boats.  But  after  further  con- 
sideration, he  abandoned  the  plan.  Murza-Khan  was 
not  the  man  to  be  trusted  in  such  a  case.  Not  that 
he  would  openly  act  as  his  enemy,  but  he  might  refuse 
giving  help  that  would  bring  him  into  conflict  with 
the  authorities. 

Where,  then,  should  he  go  ?  To  go  to  his  home, 
and  thence  to  the  mountain,  would  be  too  hazardous. 
The  route  up  stream  was  slow,  and  as  soon  as  his  flight 
was  discovered  his  enemies  would  doubtless  suspect  at 
once  that  he  had  fled  thither,  and  he  would  soon  find 
them  on  his  track. 

While  he  was  thus  considering   one  plan  after 


A  PRIEin)  IN  NEED.  161 

another,  he  suddenly  thought  he  heard  a  light  knock 
near  the  window.    "Was  it  his  friend  of  yesterday  ? 

Now  he  heard  his  name  called  softly.  He  sprang 
to  the  window  to  peer  into  the  darkness,  and  asked  in 
a  whisper  who  was  there. 

"  Are  you  ready  ?  " 

"  Who  speaks?"  he  asked,  to  make  sure  that  it  was 
not  a  spy. 

"  It  is  I.     Ahmed ! " 

"  Ahmed ! "  How  could  that  be  ?  Could  the  man 
have  betrayed  him  when  he  now  sought  to  rescue  him  ? 
Why  not  ?  He  might,  perhaps,  feel  remorse,  and  seek 
to  partly,  at  least,  undo  his  shameful  work.  But  was 
it  the  time  now  to  hesitate  ?  No !  First  liberty,  then 
he  would  see.  "  I  am  ready "  he  said,  and  finished 
tearing  away  the  bars.  Then  he  swung  himself  through 
the  window  and  sprang  to  the  ground.  Some  one 
grasped  his  arm  and  whispered : 

"Be  silent!  Not  a  word  until  we  are  in  a  safe 
place." 

Making  a  long  detour,  they  reached  Ahmed's  house. 

"  Water ! "  was  Djambek's  first  word.  "  I  am  per- 
ishing with  thirst  ?  " 

The  muezzin  brought  him  food  and  drink,  and 
while  the  other  eagerly  devoured  them,  gave  him  an 
account  of  what  he  had  done. 

"  I  waited  there  for  you  all  that  day  and  the  fol- 
lowing night,"  he  said.  "  Whenever  a  vessel  came  in 
sight  I  thought  it  was  yours,  but  my  hope  was  always 
in  vain.  Finally  I  determined  to  return  here  after 
directing  the  boatman  to  remain  there  with  the  boat 
until  I  should  send  him  word.  Here  I  first  learned  of 
the  catastrophe  which  had  befallen  you,  and  only  to- 


162  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

day  I  had  my  suspicions  confirmed  that  you  had  been 
overheard  and  betrayed." 

"  From  whom  do  you  know  that  ?  " 

"  From  her." 

"  From— Thamar  ?  " 

"  No.  From^  her  friend,  who  came  to  me  to-day 
and  left  a  letter  for  you." 

He  handed  Djambek  a  letter,  which  he  opened  in 
feverish  haste. 

"  Russudan  overheard  your  plans,"  it  said.  "  I 
heard  it  from  Totia,  who  hurried  to  Batoum  to  in- 
form Hassan  Bey.  Unfortunately,  he  has  succeeded, 
and  we  can  do  nothing.  Thamar  is  suffering  from 
the  excitement  she  has  undergone.  She  has  a  fever, 
but  I  hope  no  serious  sickness  will  result.  Indeed, 
we  must  consider  this  as  fortunate,  for  Russudan  de- 
clares that  Thamar  has  become  insane,  as  none  of  her 
appeals  or  threats  have  any  effect  upon  her.  I  let  her 
think  so,  as  she  will  undoubtedly  so  advise  Cherif- 
Pasha,  who  will  then  leave  my  poor  friend  in  peace  for 
a  time,  and  much  will  be  gained  by  that. 

"  You  must  now  be  sensible  and  obedient,  friend 
Djambek.  You  can  not  help  us  here,  and  must  re- 
member that  Thamar's  life  will  be  placed  in  jeopardy 
if  she  learns  that  you  are  exposed  to  the  vengeance  of 
your  enemies.  Away,  then !  Try  to  get  beyond  the 
boundary.    You  shall  hear  of  Thamar  through  Ahmed, 

and  I  hope  it  will  be  good  news. 

Daeia." 

Djambek  folded  the  letter  together  and  took  the 
muezzin's  hand. 

"  I  am  deep  in  your  debt,  my  friend !  How  can  I 
ever  repay  you  ?  " 


A  FRIEND  IN  NEED.  163 

It  shamed  him  to  think  he  had  ever  doubted  his 
friend,  and  he  earnestly  begged  his  forgiveness. 

"  Let  us  speak  of  more  important  matters,"  inter- 
posed Ahmed.  "  You  must  leave  the  city  instantly. 
It  will  be  easy  to  do  so  under  cover  of  the  darkness." 

"But  whither?" 

"Beyond  the  sea,"  said  Ahmed.  "Everything  is 
ready.  The  same  vessel  that  waited  for  you  on  the 
river  is  now  in  the  harbor.  I  gave  directions  to  the 
boatman  as  soon  as  I  heard  of  what  had  happened. 
He  is  waiting  for  you  not  far  from  here  in  a  spot 
where  there  are  no  other  vessels,  so  that  he  can  sail 
out  of  the  harbor  without  being  noticed.  Now,  in  re- 
gard to  money.  I  got  your  money  as  you  told  me  to  do, 
and  you  can  use  it  now  to  advantage."  Ahmed  went 
to  a  locked  case  and  took  out  a  package  of  considerable 
size.  Here  is  your  money — or  rather  drafts  which  you 
can  use  to  better  advantage  abroad.  They  amount  to 
two  thousand  purses,*  and  there  is  besides  fifteen  thou- 
sand piasters  in  coin.  The  boatman  has  agreed  on  two 
purses  for  taking  you  to  the  nearest  Russian  port" 

Djambek  took  the  package  and  opened  it  to  take 
out  some  of  the  drafts. 

"  Before  I  leave  the  country,  perhaps  forever,"  he 
said,  "I  must  provide  for  the  care  of  a  few  who  are 
dear  to  me.  It  is  probable  that  the  authorities  will 
deal  with  my  possessions  as  they  did  with  Elisba's,  so 
I  must  make  provision  that  those  who  have  shown 
their  loyalty  to  me  shall  not  be  breadless.  In  the  first 
place,  your  sister.  You  can  not  refuse  to  take  this  for 
her.    It  is  a  simple  duty  that  I  fulfill.    Your  services 

*  A  purse  equals  five  hundred  piasters  =  $22.50. 


■^^if^s^:; 


■■  -- -■  /.    p^^T-"-"'"Vigi:.-  -»■  W>Hy3r-.;fi'':zti^t^.ft^jyKf-?s^^ 


164:  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

are  not  paid  for  by  it.  In  case  they  do  not  disturb  her 
where  she  now  is,  keep  the  money  as  a  provision  for  evil 
times.  But  if,  as  I  fear,  they  drive  her  from  house  and 
home,  then  she  can  come  and  be  near  you.  That  will  be 
pleasant  for  both  of  you.  The  rest  of  what  I  leave  with 
you,  divide  equally  among  my  servants.  Let  them 
know,  too,  that  as  soon  as  is  possible  I  shall  join  Elisba, 
and  then  we  will  advise  together  as  to  what  it  is  best  to 
do  for  the  future.  Should  any  of  them  wish  to  see  me 
they  will  find  me  there  or  hear  of  me  from  Elisba." 

"  You  are  giving  me  too  much  for  my  sister,"  ob- 
jected the  muezzin ;  "  she  is  not  accustomed  to  such  a 
way  of  life  that  she  will  need  so  large  a  sum.  Let  me, 
therefore,  give  you  back  a  part  of  it." 

"  You  do  not  wish  to  offend  me,  Ahmed  ?  I  know 
your  sister  is  always  satisfied  with  a  little,  but  that 
need  not  prevent  her  living  more  comfortably  if  she 
have  the  means  of  doing  so.  So  please  say  nothing 
more  about  it.  And  be  assured  again,  my  best  of 
friends,  that  I  have  no  intention  that  this  should  be 
in  payment  of  your  services.  What  you  have  done  for 
me  can  not  be  paid  for  with  money." 

"  Your  will  shall  be  done,  Djambek.  I  thank  you 
for  your  kind  thoughtfulness  for  my  sister.  I  thank 
you  in  her  name  and  in  mine.  Have  you  any  further 
wishes?  I  think  I  can  be  of  service  to  you  in  a  matter 
that  is  near  your  heart." 

"  You  mean  Thamar  ?  " 

"  Yes,  in  your  exile  you  will  feel  doubly  lonely,  for 
your  heart  will  remain  here." 

Djambek  bowed  his  head  sorrowfully.  "  And  how 
lonely!  I  fear  there  will  be  times  when  separation 
will  drive  me  to  hopelessness — to  despair  1 " 


-'iH^J!5fy'''Sg3*^f^»WW«''^^W^.*'*"'    •  "  ^P^".      ~-'  -        «-==i        ^^S-r^!g^ 


A  PRrEND  IN  NEED.  ]65 


"No!  That  must  not  be,"  interposed  Ahmed 
earnestly.  "  What  would  man  be  without  hope  ?  You 
must  never  give  up  hoping  for  brighter  days.  It  will 
sustain  you  and  bring  you  yet  to  victory.  Think  on 
what  I  say  to  you,  and  may  it  give  you  strength  in  time 
of  despondency !  As  for  Thamar,  I  will  see  that  you 
often  receive  news  of  her.  Depend  on  it,  that  as  soon 
as  I  know  where  you  are  I  will  find  ways  of  sending 
you  messages.  But  it  is  time  now  for  you  to  depart. 
In  a  few  hours  it  will  be  dawn." 

Djambek  arose  and  followed  his  friend.  They 
walked  in  silence  through  the  unoccupied  part  of  the 
city  which  lies  southerly  toward  the  sea,  and  in  a  few 
minutes  they  could  hear  the  murmur  of  the  waves. 
As  soon  as  they  had  climbed  the  slight  elevation  which 
separated  them  from  the  sea,  Djambek  saw  the  gleam 
of  a  green  light. 

"  There  is  your  boat,"  said  Ahmed  in  a  whisper. 
They  descended  to  the  shore,  and  going  a  few  paces 
farther,  Ahmed  blew  a  whistle.  When  he  had  repeat- 
ed the  signal,  they  heard  the  splash  of  oars,  and  soon 
a  row-boat  appeared  before  them.  Ahmed  exchanged 
a  few  words  with  the  boatman,  and  then  said  to  Djam- 
bek :  "  This  is  the  master  of  the  ship  himself.    You 


are  now  secure." 


Djambek's  heart  was  so  full  of  sorrow  that  he  could 
speak  no  word  of  parting.  His  whole  life  seemed  to 
pass  before  him  like  pictures  seen  in  the  clouds.  He 
saw  the  paternal  mansion,  the  people  joined  to  him  by 
ties  of  friendship,  the  loved  one.  The  remembrance 
of  little  events  that  had  long  slumbered  in  his  memory 
suddenly  came  vividly  before  him  and  increased  the 
pain  that  filled  his  heart. 


■-'^ll 


166  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

"  Farewell ! "  said  Ahmed,  struggling  to  repress  a 
sob.  "  Farewell,  and  may  Allah  have  you  in  his  keep- 
ing! " 

Djambek  could  not  speak  a  word,  try  as  he  would. 
He  pressed  his  friend's  hand  and  drew  him  to  his 
breast,  and  then  with  an  effort  sprang  into  the  boat. 

The  muezzin  remained  standing  on  the  beach.  He 
saw  the  green  light  begin  to  waver,  then  to  rise  and 
fall,  then  become  smaller  and  smaller,  until  it  suddenly 
disappeared. 

A  light  breeze  drove  the  cutter  out  to  sea.  Djam- 
bek stood  leaning  over  the  side  and,  with  dim  eyes, 
watched  the  receding  lights  of  the  city  until  they  had 
vanished. 

A  world  of  thoughts  crowded  upon  him  as  he 
waved  his  hand  in  farewell  to  his  country.  A  multi- 
tude of  fears  and  hopes,  confidence  and  despair.  The 
lot  was  cast,  the  arrow  shot  from  the  bow.  There  was 
no  turning  back.  Even  should  a  most  unlooked  for 
change  take  place  in  the  government  of  the  country, 
would  he  be  able  to  return  ?  What  could  happen  that 
would  permit  him,  the  exile,  the  outlaw,  to  go  back 
in  safety  ?  The  death  of  his  enemy  ?  Then  new  ene- 
mies would  instantly  arise,  for  his  crime  was  not  such 
as  is  wiped  out  by  the  death  of  certain  individuals. 
He  had  sinned  against  the  whole  system  of  laws  and 
customs,  and  for  that  there  was  no  forgiveness  or  for- 
getfulness. 

And  Thamar?  Was  she  not  now  in  the  absolute 
power  of  an  angry  man,  who  would  use  his  utmost  en- 
deavor to  make  her  bend  to  his  will  ?  What  were  the 
ties  of  blood  to  him,  when  he  sought  to  bind  her  from 
motives  of  his  own  self-interest  to  a  man  she  hated  ? 


'>»<*;.; 


W^'~  «¥!5y^^^R^:s-r?^l!!»^5!''lS!^:W^P^!^!?^lBg!55«^'T'^^ 


A  FRIEND  IN  NEED.  167 

Was  it  not  to  be  feared  that  he  would  torment  her  to 
death,  now  that  in  her  supposed  state  of  insanity  he 
could  make  no  use  of  her  to  further  his  corrupt  ends? 

These  gloomy  thoughts  were  interrupted  by  a  sud- 
den call. 

"What  boat  is  that?" 

The  ship-master  sprang  forward  and  gave  the 
steersman  a  sign.  Then  making  a  trumpet  of  his 
hands,  he  called  back. 

"  A  fishing  sloop." 

"  Halt ! "  was  the  answer. 

The  command  was  not  obeyed,  however.  The  ves- 
sel followed  quickly  the  steersman's  change  of  wheel, 
and  turning  flew  toward  the  open  sea. 

"  It  was  a  revenue  cutter,"  expMned  the  sailor. 
"  It  would  probably  have  been  unpleasant  for  you  to 
have  met  him." 

He  was  silent  about  the  contraband  goods  which 
he  had  on  board,  and  which  he  intended  landing  at 
the  next  port. 


'■»  ..'=";^'?3jr.'s;>*."j='v"v'*->;'™ip>^^ 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

IN   THE   MOUNTAIN'S. 

Toward  evening  the  fugitive  arrived  in  Nicholaja, 
after  having  fallen  in  with  Murza-Khan  on  the  way. 
The  boat  had  suddenly  changed  its  course,  as  the  cap- 
tain had  declared  that  in  that  region  there  was  no 
danger  of  meeting  revenue  oflBcers.  Soon  after  a 
three-colored  light  was  seen,  such  as  Djambek  had 
noticed  when  sitting  on  Murza-Khan's  veranda.  The 
captain  came  to  tell  his  passenger  that  he  intended 
stopping  here  for  a  short  time.  The  morning  broke 
as  they  approached  the  shore,  but  Djambek  could  not 
make  out  where  they  were,  as  there  was  a  thick  fog 
overhanging  the  land.  Suddenly  they  heard  the  splash 
of  oars,  a  boat  came  alongside,  and  a  number  of 
men  climbed  on  board.  The  first  that  approached  the 
fugitive  was  Murza-Khan. 

"  You  here ! "  he  exclaimed  in  surprise.  "  I 
thought  you  were  under  double  chains  and  behind 
thick  walls." 

"  I  am  obliged  to  you  for  your  friendly  anxiety," 
returned  Djambek,  half  pleased  and  half  displeased  at 
the  meeting. 

"  Well,  I  am  glad  you  played  them  a  trick.  Has 
Cherif- Pasha  come  back  ?  " 


v=-"!k;^  jftt^-. 


IN  THE  MOUNTAINS.  169 

"Not  yet." 

"  That's  a  pity.     I  would  like  to  see  hiin  rave." 

"  You  may  soon  have  that  pleasure.  He  is  to 
return  in  a  day  or  two." 

"  So  ?  Then  I  must  look  him  up,  and  tell  him 
that  I  met  his  dear  nephew — ^you  have  become  one 
of  his  relatives,  have  you  not  ? — and  that  he  was  look- 
ing especially  well.     He  will  fairly  foam  with  rage ! " 

"And  curse  you  for  not  having  taking  me  pris- 
oner." 

"  Am  I  his  bailiff?  And  do  I  need  to  have  known 
anything  about  the  business  ?  Things  which  do  not 
concern  one  one  need  not  notice.  For  that  reason,  I 
beg  to  ask  you  to  look  the  other  way  until  we  finish 
our  business  here.  It  can  have  no  sort  of  interest  for 
you  to  see  what  we  are  doing." 

"  Certainly  not.  I  would  prefer  not  to  look  deeper 
into  your  affairs,  as  they  are  purely  personal.  If  you 
would  be  as  active  in  certain  other  lines,  it  would  be  a 
fine  thing ! " 

"'Everything  for  one's  self,  nothing  for  others.' 
That  is  the  motto  surest  to  bring  success.  There  is 
no  such  appreciating  and  grateful  creature  to  work  for 
as  the  '  I ' !  But  it  strikes  me  that  you,  too,  have  had 
your  own  interests  pretty  well  in  mind — or  was  this 
abduction  of  a  fair  lady  perhaps  conducive  to  the  gen- 
eral good  ?  Now  don't  be  offended,  Djambek,  I  meant 
nothing  ill-natured,  and  in  my  heart  I  am  quite  with 
you,  though  I  myself  should  hardly  have  plunged  into 
such  a  sea  of  difficulties  on  account  of  a  pair  of  black 
eyes.  But  that  is  a  matter  of  taste.  And  perhaps 
Cherif- Pasha's  heart  will  melt  and  he  will  clasp  you  to 
his  heart  in  a  flood  of  repentant  tears ! " 


170  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 


(( 


I  hardly  consider  that  probable,  unless  you  should 
succeed  in  convincing  him  of  the  error  of  his  ways," 
returned  Djambek,  good-naturedly. 

"  He  is  likely  to  listen  to  me  I  He  paid  so  much 
attention  to  me  before ! "  said  Murza-Khan  sarcastic- 
ally. "  No,  my  friend,  you  must  seek  a  better  mediator 
than  me.  I  have  no  faculty  in  that  line.  My  specialty 
lies  in  working  him  up  to  the  boiling-point.  I  shall 
tell  him  I  met  you,  that  you  were  looking  finely,  that 
you  seemed  in  excellent  spirits,  and  that  you  told  me 
you  intended  taking  a  little  pleasure  trip  before  your 
marriage !  Possibly  it  would  be  doing  you  a  service, 
for  it  is  very  likely  that  it  would  result  in  his  having  a 
stroke  of  apoplexy — ^he  would  be  in  such  a  rage !  But 
they  are  waiting  for  me,  and  I  must  bid  you  farewell." 

Murza-Khan  joined  his  men,  and  having  taken  their 
wares  on  board,  the  sloop  proceeded  to  Nicholaja. 

Djambek  intended  first  of  all  to  find  Elisba.  He 
wanted  much  to  see  his  friend  and  learn  what  plans  he 
had  for  the  future.  He  would  not  have  disliked  stop- 
ping there  permanently,  as  he  would  be  in  more  or  less 
frequent  communication  with  his  home.  Villagers 
from  Skalta  often  came  there,  and  could  keep  him  in- 
formed of  what  was  going  on  at  Batoum.  Should  he 
not  find  it  advisable  to  stay  there,  he  could  go  on  to 
Tiflis,  where  he  had  friends  of  his  school  days,  and 
where  he  felt  sure  he  would  receive  a  hearty  welcome. 

He  hired  horses  and  servants,  and  took  the  road 
which  led  by  way  of  Ozurgethi  and  Aschalzich  to  the 
region  where  Elisba  made  his  headquarters.  He  ar- 
rived in  Aschalzich  on  the  fourth  day,  and  determined 
to  take  a  short  rest  there,  as  the  rest  of  the  journey 
over  the  Perangage  Mountains  was  a  very  difficult  one. 


IN  THE  MOUNTAINS.  171 

To  his  agreeable  surprise  lie  met  a  young  man 
whom  he  had  known  well  in  Tiflis,  and  who  now  held 
an  important  official  position  there.  This  meeting 
gave  much  pleasure  to  both,  and  as  Djambek  had  no 
hesitation  in  telling  his  friend  that  he  had  left  his  na- 
tive country  on  account  of  difficulties  with  the  authori- 
ties, the  young  Eussian  official  earnestly  advised  him 
to  accept  a  position  under  the  government. 

"  They  will  be  glad  to  give  you  a  place,"  he  said, 
"especially  as  preparations  are  going  on  which  are 
likely  to  lead  to  important  changes.  The  relations 
between  us  and  our  neighbors  are  strained — less  here 
than  over  there  in  Europe — and  you  will  see  that,  soon- 
er or  later,  there  will  be  a  war.  In  such  case,  you  would 
be  a  valuable  acquisition  for  us,  and  you  may  depend 
on  getting  a  good  position.  Think  it  over.  I  believe 
I  am  advising  you  for  your  good." 

"  Yes.  I  will  consider  your  advice,"  returned 
Djambek,  "  though  at  present  I  hardly  think  I  could 
accept  it." 

They  spent  the  day  together,  and  the  next  morn- 
ing Djambek  took  the  road  again,  and  toward  evening 
arrived  at  his  destination. 

Elisba's  joy  was  great  as  he  saw  his  friend.  Em- 
bracing him  warmly  he  drew  him  into  his  house,  and 
set  before  him  all  manner  of  refreshments.  He  had 
no  suspicion  of  what  had  happened,  and  Djambek  was 
the  first  to  inform  him. 

"  So,  then,  my  fellow  in  misfortune,"  said  Elisba 
bitterly,  "  they  have  driven  you  too  away  from  home 
and  country.  Curses  upon  this  villainous  crew  with 
hearts  of  stone,  that  have  eyes  and  ears  only  for  their 
own  profit ! " 

12 


|:p'S.^it;-<  9^P 


172  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

Then  Elisba  told  him  how  complaints  were  every 
day  becoming  louder,  how  the  present  caimacam  op- 
pressed and  maltreated  the  people,  and  how  many  de- 
clared themselves  ready  to  oppose  the  authorities  with 
weapons  in  their  hands. 

Thereupon  Djambek  thought  of  the  conversation 
he  had  had  with  his  friend  at  Aschalzich,  and  he  told 
Elisba  of  it. 

"Do  you  know,"  said  the  latter,  "I  have  often 
thought  that  it  would  be  a  good  fortune  for  the  coun- 
try if  war  should  break  out.  I  would  not  hesitate  a 
minute,  then,  to  offer  my  services  to  the  Russians." 

Djambek  looked  his  friend  searchingly  in  the 
face. 

"  Do  you  mean  it  ?  "  he  asked.  "  Do  you  forget  that 
you  would  be  called  a  traitor  to  your  country  ?  " 

"  Traitor  to  my  country ! "  exclaimed  the  other. 
"  My  country  is  the  homestead  where  I  grew  up — my 
people  are  those  who,  like  me,  have  been  robbed  and 
oppressed — but  those  who  hold  power  there  have  no 
claim  upon  me.  I  cut  myself  loose  from  them  when 
they  obliged  me  to  meet  force  with  force.  I  feel  my- 
self under  no  obligations  toward  them,  but  I  do  feel  it 
my  duty  to  help  free  my  countrymen  from  the  yoke 
that  lies  so  heavily  upon  them.  What  allegiance  do  I 
owe  to  these  shameless  tyrants,  creatures  who  would 
suck  the  very  blood  from  our  veins?  None!  They 
are  strangers  to  us ;  a  race  to  which  we  do  not  belong ; 
a  band  of  robbers  who  have  seized  our  country  to  plun- 
der it.  Here,  where  we  stand,  is  our  mother-soil.  We 
are  of  Georgian  blood,  and  have  nothing  in  common 
with  the  oppressors  over  there.  And  therefore  I  would 
feel  myself  rather  a  patriot  than  a  traitor  if  I  placed 


m  THE  MOUNTAINS.  173 

myself  by  the  side  of  our  brothers  in  a  struggle  for 
the  freeing  of  my  land  from  a  hated  yoke." 

*'  But  remember,"  said  Djambek,  "  that  these  here 
of  our  own  race  stand  themselves  under  a  foreign  yoke, 
and  that  you  would  be  helping  the  rulers  of  the  land, 
rather  than  our  brothers." 

"  I  have  thought  of  that,  too,  and  have  come  to  the 
conclusion  that  my  land  would  be  better  oflf  under 
Russian  rule — much  better.  Here  there  is  not  that 
absolute  power  of  the  individual  over  the  life  and 
property  of  those  under  his  jurisdiction,  without  re- 
sponsibility to  any  one.  No  one,  not  even  the  ruler  of 
Tiflis,  dares  do  an  injustice  on  his  own  responsibility. 
If  he  do  it,  he  knows  he  will  be  called  to  a  strict  ac- 
count. No,  Djambek,  the  old  kingdom  can  not  rise 
again,  because  the  great  queen  can  not  be  bom  the 
second  time;  but  the  old  customs,  privileges,  laws, 
can  be  revived,  and  we  must  be  grateful  to  those  who 
have  the  will  to  do  it.  Should  the  favorable  opportu- 
nity come  and  Russia  take  up  our  cause,  I  swear  that 
I  would  set  my  life  in  hazard  without  a  moment's  hesi- 
tation to  aid  in  carrying  out  the  project.  But,  I  am 
sorry  to  say,  that  time  appears  a  long  way  off,  and  so  I 
have  resolved  to  use  my  best  powers  now  on  behalf  of 
my  oppressed  people.  Many  have  left  their  homes — 
some  forced,  others  willingly — and  these  will  join  me, 
and  for  every  hair  of  ours  that  is  unjustly  touched, 
there  shall  follow  swift  and  bloody  revenge." 

"  Do  you  speak  in  earnest  ? "  asked  Djambek. 
"  Have  you  fully  decided  ?  " 

"  Absolutely,"  replied  Elisba  firmly. 

"And  are  you  sure  that  you  will  thus  do  your 
land  a  service?    Have  you  not  heard  that  there  are 


'■^r^>S%'f^!-\~'  ■    -   .        ,.■■.-     .-rr.:r   ..,  -^-^     .  -.-  .  ..'7"--   \  v-:v;i;-'^'r  ^'n>"^T■^■^-^fl!5fl^p;l5CS??^i^*■^^^^^ 


174  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

many  who  look  longingly  at  the  price  set  upon  your 
head?" 

"  Everywhere  there  are  base  creatures.  Tell  me  of 
a  land  in  which  there  grow  no  weeds.  But  that  shall 
not  hinder  me  in  my  purpose.  I  know  how  the  ma- 
jority feel  and  how  they  sigh  for  relief.  Shall  I  hold 
back  because  of  a  miserable  few,  who  would  soil  their 
hands  with  the  price  of  treachery  and  seek  the  favor 
of  their  enemies  through  treason  ?  " 

"  You  know,  then,  what  Cherif- Pasha  has  promised 
the  people  if  they  will  betray  you  ?  " 

"  I  know." 

"  Elisba,  I  fear  you  will  run  blindly  into  destruc- 
tion." 

"  Blindly  ?  No !  I  see  plainly  what  lies  before 
me.  I  know  the  danger  that  confronts  me,  and  if  I 
defy  it  it  will  be  because  I  can  not  do  otherwise. 
What  is  my  life  to  me  ?  For  whose  sake  should  I  try 
to  preserve  it?  They  have  murdered  my  wife  and 
driven  me  from  my  home.  What  have  I  to  look  for- 
ward to  ?  " 

"  Do  not  speak  so,"  said  Djambek.  "  Would  you 
listen  to  such  words  from  me  who  shares  your  fate  ?  " 

"Hope  remains  with  you,  my  friend,"  returned 
Elisba  quietly.  "  It  has  left  me  forever.  Fortune 
may  yet  permit  you  to  join  Thamar,  though  you  are 
now  separated.  She  lives,  she  thinks  lovingly  of  you 
— her  heart  will  always  be  yours.  But  the  dead — the 
dead  we  can  not  bring  back.  No,  Djambek,"  he 
continued  after  a  pause,  "  I  have  fully  determined 
to  devote  myself  to  the  freeing  of  my  country.  I 
can,  perhaps,  do  little,  but  I  can  at  least  do  some- 
thing  toward    that   end.       We    will    meet   violence 


m 


IN  THE  MOUNTAINS.  I75 

with  violence,  and  perhaps  we  may  convince  those 
in  power  that  the  practice  of  injustice  is  not  the 
most  profitable  way  of  ruling  a  people.  Here  in  the 
mountains  we  are  masters.  A  little  band  in  these 
passes  can  defy  an  army.  The  advantage  is  therefore 
on  our  side.  But  enough  of  this  for  the  present. 
Let  us  talk  of  your  affairs.  What  do  you  propose  to 
do  ?  You  might,  I  suppose,  through  the  influence  of 
others,  bring  about  a  reconciliation  with  the  authori- 
ties.    Or,  if  you  went  to  Stamboul  yourself — " 

"  That  would  be  a  useless  journey,"  interrupted 
Djambek.  "  I  know  for  a  certainty  that  there  is  no 
hope  of  a  reconciliation  on  the  part  of  Cherif- Pasha. 
He  has  special  reasons  for  wishing  to  form  an  alliance 
with  Hassan  Bey.  Do  you  know  what  my  present 
plan  is  ?  It  is  to  stay  here  with  you  and  wait  to  see 
what  the  immediate  future  will  bring." 

"  But  do  you  know  what  the  result  will  be  if  they 
learn  that  you  have  joined  company  with  an  outlaw  ?  " 
asked  Elisba. 

"Am  not  I  one  myself?"  returned  Djambek. 

"  Not  yet,"  replied  Elisba. 

"But  I  soon  shall  be,"  continued  Djambek.  "I 
do  not  deceive  myself  in  the  slightest  as  to  the  steps 
Cherif-Pasha  will  take.  In  his  eyes  I  am  a  worse 
criminal  than  you,  since  I  have  insulted  him,  the 
representative  of  the  Padishah.  Hassan  Bey  and  my 
other  enemies  will  do  their  part,  too,  to  keep  his  anger 
alive.  I  expect  that  the  first  thing  he  will  do  will  be 
to  confiscate  my  estates,  and  I  should  not  be  at  aU 
surprised  if  he  set  a  price  on  my  head,  too.  I  shall 
wait  here  for  all  this,  and  I  expect  soon  to  receive 
news  by  a  messenger.     I  shall  then  know  what  to 


■  wjrgf.- 


176  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

do.     But  tell  me  frankly :  Shall  I  be  a  burden  to  ydu 
here?" 

"  Why,  you  know  nothing  would  please  me  more 
than  to  have  you  near  me,"  replied  Elisba  warmly. 
"  You  will  soon  be  able  to  tell  for  yourself  whether  I 
am  right  in  my  conclusions.  You  shall  see  for  your- 
self how  the  people  come  with  their  complaints,  how 
they  swear  vengeance  against  their  oppressors,  and 
your  blood  will  boil  in  your  veins.  Only  to-day  a 
poor,  persecuted  family  arrived — a  man,  wife,  and  four 
children,  the  fifth  had  died  from  the  hardships  of  the 
journey.  Such  blood  cries  to  heaven,  my  friend,  and 
we  will  not  wait  until  the  Prophet  appears  with  a  flam- 
ing sword,  as  some  of  the  poor  people  expect  he  will. 
We  will  teach  these  bandits  that  right  and  might  are 
two  different  things." 

Djambek  soon  had  an  opportunity  of  seeing  that 
Elisba's  indignation  had  good  grounds.  Day  after 
day  came  dissatisfied  or  unfortunate  people,  and  their 
complaints  increased  more  and  more.  The  caimacam 
sought  to  enforce  a  policy  of  crushing  severity  upon 
the  people,  and  thought  he  had  discovered  therein  the 
true  system  of  government.  The  people  whom  he  drove 
from  their  homes  would  serve  as  a  terrifying  example  to 
others ;  and  he  purposed  thus  to  free  his  district  of  the 
rebellious  element.  In  this  he  received  support  from 
a  few  who  preferred  their  own  interests  to  those  of  the 
community  at  large,  and  who  hoped  by  servility  to  gain 
the  good  will  of  the  rulers.  Many  of  these  were  not 
disappointed.  Their  policy  bore  the  expected  fruit. 
But  not  all ;  for  Redjeb  Bey  thought  it  politic  to  have 
most  of  the  confiscated  lands  occupied  by  those  who 
had  more  identified  themselves  with  the  governing 


IN  THE  MOUNTAINS.  177 

race,  and  to  this  end  he  brought  in  people  from  places 
on  the  coast,  where  the  Mohammedans  were  in  the 
majority. 

Elisba  was  kept  fully  informed  of  all  this. 

"  Do  you  see  ?  "  he  said  to  D  jambek,  "  they  are  try- 
ing to  force  the  old  race  out  of  the  land  and  replace 
it  with  their  own.  It  is  absurd.  By  the  way,  I  have 
sent  the  caimacam  a  letter." 

"  You — to  the  caimacam ! "  exclaimed  Djambek. 
"  What  did  you  say  to  him  ?  " 

"  I  gave  him  notice  that  he  would  meet  with  the 
same  fate  as  did  his  predecessor  if  these  complaints 
continued." 

"  A  declaration  of  war,  then ! "  cried  Djambek,  not 
without  a  touch  of  irony  in  his  tone. 

"  Certainly.  Does  that  appear  to  you  to  be  ridicu- 
lous?" 

"  !N"o ;  terribly  earnest,  on  the  contrary,  and — don't 
be  offended — very  audacious." 

Elisba  shrugged  his  shoulders. 

"  It  is  certainly  in  earnest.  Whether  it  be  auda- 
cious, time  will  show,"  he  answered  quietly.  "  You  are 
like  many  others,"  he  continued,  after  a  pause,  "  who 
earnestly  desire  a  better  order  of  things,  but  would 
prefer  that  the  change  come  direct  from  Heaven ;  who 
have  a  dislike  for  the  old  order  of  things,  but  can  not 
shake  off  their  superstitious  reverence  for  whatever  is 
old  and  established." 

"  You  do  not  judge  me  correctly,"  returned  Djam- 
bek. "I  certainly  do  not  advocate  sitting  with  our 
hands  in  our  laps,  but  I  would  first  seek  to  bring 
about  a  reform  through  the  weapons  of  reason,  not 
with  gun  and  sword.    K  I  had  a  dispute  with  you 


■^!9*^' 


178  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

about  a  matter,  I  would  lay  my  reasons  before  you 
and  try  to  bring  you  to  my  side.  Would  it  help  my 
case  any,  if,  instead  of  that,  I  should  draw  my  dagger, 
and  one  of  us  should  be  killed  ?  " 

"You  forget,"  said  Elisba,  "that  such  people  as 
these  can  not  be  reached  by  argument.  Would  you 
go  to  the  caimacam  and  say  to  him :  '  Sir,  you  have 
not  taken  the  correct  view  of  the  case ;  you  can  at- 
tain nothing  by  cruelty  and  severity '  ?  Don't  you 
suppose  the  good  man  would  at  once  clap  you  behind 
lock  and  key  ?  " 

"  You  and  me — yes.  But  if  a  man  who  enjoyed  a 
special  distinction  in  the  land  took  hold  of  the  mat- 
ter, a  man  who  had  the  right  to  be  heard  by  those  in 
power — " 

"  Can  you  name  such  a  man  ?  "  asked  the  other. 

Djambek  hesitated.     Then  he  said  : 

"  At  the  moment  I  can  not." 

"  Well,  then,  must  we  lay  our  hands  in  our  laps 
and  wait  for  the  Prophet  ?  "  asked  Elisba  scornfully. 

There  was  no  reply  to  be  made,  and  Djambek  re- 
mained silent. 

The  next  morning,  as  he  came  out  of  the  house,  he 
was  surprised  to  see  his  servant  there. 

"  Is  it  really  you,  Mamukia  ?  " 

"  Yes,  master." 

"  Did  you  receive  a  message  from  Ahmed  ?  " 

The  man  nodded.  "  Lazar  came,"  he  said,  "  just 
as  I  was  getting  ready  to  leave." 

"  You  intended,  then,  to  flee  ?  " 

"Yes,  for  I  had  heard  that  an  order  had  come 
from  Batoum  to  surround  your  house  and  throw  all 
the  occupants  into  prison." 


^|Fi^3S^5:^^r3-3  5-~-¥£?5?';K™=^'ya»:7-- 


IN  THE  MOUNTAINS.  179 

"  It  is  not  possible !  "  exclaimed  D  jambek.  "  And 
where  is  Ahmed's  sister  ?  " 

"  I  warned  her  and  tried  to  persuade  her  to  escape 
with  me  to  the  mountains.  But  she  refused — said  she 
had  nothing  to  fear,  as  she  had  done  no  harm.  I  had 
done  no  harm  either ;  but  from  what  has  been  going 
on  of  late,  it  appears  that  there  is  yery  little  protection 
in  being  innocent,  and  when  they  began  telling  all 
sorts  of  things  about  you,  I  thought  I  had  better  be 
going  while  I  could.  Spiridon  and  Josse  have  come 
with  me.  We  have  brought  your  horse  and  the  best 
of  the  weapons.  I  wanted  to  bring  away  everything 
of  value,  but  Ahmed's  sister  objected  and  said  she  was 
responsible,  and  then  there  was  very  little  time." 

"  You  have  done  quite  right,"  said  Djambek.  "  I 
am  only  much  troubled  about  the  poor  woman.  Not 
that  they  can  have  anything  against  her,  but  she  will 
try  to  prevent  their  entering  the  house,  and  that  will 
get  her  into  trouble." 

A  few  days  later  others  arrived,  and  among  them 
several  of  Djambek's  tenants.  They  brought  bad 
news.  The  house  had  been  taken  possession  of  by 
Eedjeb  Bey,  and  all  who  were  in  it  had  been  thrown 
into  prison.  The  tenants  had  been  notified  that  they 
must  give  up  their  land,  as  it  had  been  promised  to 
other  people. 

Djambek's  anger  was  now  fully  aroused. 

"  The  villains ! "  he  shouted,  shaking  his  fist. 
"The  cowardly  villains!  Because  I  have  escaped 
them  they  wreak  their  vengeance  on  the  innocent." 
And  he  hurried  to  tell  Elisba. 

"You  wonder  at  that?"  said  Elisba  quietly. 
"  Have  I  not  told  you  of  enough  other  similar  cases. 


-W^' 


180  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN.' 

What  do  you  think  now  ?  Is  this  the  proper  time  to 
visit  the  caimacam  and  argue  with  him  that  he  has 
acted  unjustly  ?  Perhaps  you  might  convince  him  of 
his  error !  Well,  what  do  you  think  ?  "  he  urged,  as 
the  other  stared  before  him  in  silence. 

"  I  think,"  said  Djambek  slowly,  "  I  think  that  it 
is  the  proper  time  for  me  to  go  over  to  your  side. 
With  such  rascals  one  must  act  otherwise  than  by 
peaceful  representations.  Will  you  accept  me  as  a 
member  of  your  band  ?  I  devote  myself  to  your  cause, 
and  will  support  you  with  all  my  strength." 

Elisba  grasped  his  hand. 

"  Welcome,  my  friend,  and  our  first  work  shall  be 
to  free  your  people  from  prison." 


«Kf^    ^-^S^-^  • 


CHAPTER  XV. 

A   PLOT  A2fD   ITS  FAILURE. 

As  Murza-Khan  had  prophesied,  Cherif-Pasha  fair- 
ly foamed  with  rage  when  he  heard  what  had  occurred. 
He  immediataly  set  out  for  Batoum.  There  he  first 
learned  the  full  particulars.  At  first  his  people  did 
not  dare  tell  him  of  Djambek's  escape.  This  was 
reserved  for  Murza-Khan,  who  came  to  call  on  the 
governor  as  if  casually. 

"  A  fine  affair  this,  is  it  not  ?  "  said  the  pasha,  al- 
most immediately  on  his  entering. 

"  What  do  you  refer  to  ?  "  asked  Murza-Khan,  pre- 
tending ignorance. 

"  You  must  have  heard.  This  miserable  wretch, 
Djambek— " 

"  Djambek  !  I  am  glad  you  remind  me  of  him  ! 
for  I  had  almost  forgotten  to  give  you  his  message.  I 
met  him  a  few  days  ago  as  he  was  taking  a  little  pleas- 
ure trip.  He  looked  finely  and  in  excellent  spirits.  I 
was  to  give  you  his  special  salutations  and — " 

Cherif-Pasha  sprang  into  the  air  like  a  jumping- 
jack. 

"  He !  he  —  on  a  pleasure  trip !  Have  you  lost 
your  senses  ?  The  villain  is  here  under  lock  and  key 
waiting  the  just  punishment  of  his  crimes." 


?.^! 


£|*^-^''' 


182  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 


"  Then  he  must  have  been  captured  yesterday  or 
the  day  before,  for  I  assure  you  I  saw  him  myself  three 
days  ago.  He  charged  me  to  convey  to  you  his  special 
salaams,  and  to  say  that  he  would  come  soon  to  take 
away  your  niece  as  his  bride." 

Cherif- Pasha  could  only  shout  out  inarticulate 
sounds  while  Murza-Khan  chuckled  to  himself  in  the 
highest  gratification.  The  governor  ran  up  and  down 
the  room,  stamped  upon  the  floor,  tore  at  his  beard, 
and  finally  rushed  out  of  the  door  to  call  Hassan  Bey. 
The  latter  soon  appeared. 

"  Tell  me,"  said  the  pasha,  "  is  Murza-Khan  out  of 
his  senses,  or  does  he  speak  the  truth  ?  Where  is  that 
wretch  you  captured  ?  " 

"  I  regret  to  say  he  has  escaped,"  replied  Hassan 
Bey  with  downcast  eyes. 

"  Escaped !  Oh  !  oh ! "  and  again  he  went  into  a 
frenzy  of  wrath.  "  Who  let  him  escape  ?  Why  was 
he  not  watched  ?  What  sort  of  a  police  have  we  got 
that  can  not  even  keep  a  prisoner  after  he  is  caught ! 
Give  orders  at  once  that  Yaver-Aga  be  put  in  chains. 
I  will  teach  these  people  to  neglect  their  duty !  " 

"Has  Djambek  been  doing  something  he  ought 
not  to  ?  "  asked  Murza-Khan  blandly. 

The  pasha  stared  at  him  as  if  he  was  some  surpris- 
ing natural  curiosity.  "I  beg  you,  my  friend,"  he 
said,  "  go  with  Hassan  Bey.  He  will  tell  you.  I  find 
myself  incapable  of  saying  another  word  about  it  or 
even  thinking  of  it." 

As  soon  as  the  governor  had  become  a  little  more 
calm,  he  gave  orders  to  take  possession  of  Djambek's 
house  and  to  arrest  all  the. occupants.  He  also  offered 
a  reward  for  Djambek's  capture. 


'  A  PLOT  AND   ITS  FAILURE.  183 

He  reserved  a  visit  to  Thamar  for  the  last.  When 
Daria  told  him  with  many  tears  that  Thamar,  after  a 
severe  fever,  had  fallen  into  a  state  of  delirium,  he 
shook  his  fist  and  swore  he  would  bring  back  her 
senses  with  a  whip.  But  when  he  saw  her  he  started 
back  in  surprise.  Her  senses  seemed  really  bewildered. 
Her  lips  murmured  unintelligible  sentences.  Then 
she  gave  a  sudden  cry,  and  this  so  frightened  the  pasha 
that  he  hastily  left  the  room.  There  was  no  doubt  but 
that  she  had  lost  her  senses.  With  the  Orientals  the 
insane  are  looked  upon  as  peculiarly  dangerous  creat- 
ures, whom  it  is  best  to  avoid,  if  one  would  himself 
escape  their  malady. 

So  all  his  plans  for  the  future  were  crossed !  Has- 
san Bey  would,  of  course,  never  agree  to  such  a  mar- 
riage, even  if  she  in  time  recovered.  And  who  was  re- 
sponsible for  all  this  misfortune  ?  Who  but  that  thief, 
that  crafty  villain,  Djambek  ?  And  instead  of  being 
able  to  strangle  him  here  with  his  own  hands,  Cherif- 
Pasha  must  hear  that  he  is  in  safety,  and  that  he  even 
dares  to  send  him  a  taunting  message.  "  But  he  shall 
pay  for  it ! "  swore  the  pasha,  "  by  the  beard  of  the 
Prophet !  If  it  takes  the  whole  military  strength  of 
the  land,  even  if  it  be  necessary  to  go  into  foreign  ter- 
ritory for  him,  this  shame  shall  be  washed  out  with  the 
blood  of  the  presumptuous  villain ! " 

But  first  he  poured  forth  his  anger  on  Djambek's 
property  and  his  people.  Even  Artschil  did  not  escape. 
He  was  removed  from  oflSce.  This  was  well  as  far  as 
it  went ;  if  now  the  cause  of  all  was  once  more  in  his 
power,  the  pasha  felt  that  he  would  in  a  measure  be 
satisfied. 

But  instead  of  this  wish  being  fulfilled,  Cherif- 


'■  ■■■■'%' 


184:  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

Paslia  soon  received  news  of  a  very  different  import. 
An  armed  band  had  attacked  the  prison  and  freed 
the  prisoners.  They  had  even  seized  the  caimacam, 
dragged  him  with  them  for  some  distance,  and  threat- 
ened him  with  death  in  case  he  again  gave  grounds  for 
dissatisfaction. 

Redjeb  Bey  came  himself  to  inform  the  pasha  of 
the  circumstances.  He  complained  that  they  had 
beaten  and  mishandled  him,  and  that  the  leader  of  the 
band,  Elisba,  had  placed  a  gun  at  his  head  and  would 
have  killed  him,  had  not  Djambek  sprung  forward  to 
prevent  the  murder. 

"  Well,  let  him  go  this  time,  but  woe  to  him  if  he 
again  does  injustice — his  death-warrant  will  then  be 
sealed ! "  had  been  Elisba's  words. 

Cherif-Pasha  was  dumb  with  wrath  and  fear.  He 
brandished  his  hands  in  the  air,  threw  fierce  looks  at 
the  caimacam,  but  could  not  utter  a  word. 

"  I  know  of  but  one  way  "  said  Redjeb  Bey,  "  to 
make  an  end  of  this  matter.  We  must  get  the  rebels 
into  an  ambush  and  then  mow  them  down.  To  be 
prepared  for  all  their  attacks  would  require  an  army 
in  each  section  to  be  constantly  on  the  watch.  I  have 
no  fear  for  myself.  I  know  that  my  life  belongs  to  the 
PadishaJi  and  his  representative,  but  what  good  end 
will  it  serve  if  I  fall  a  sacrifice  to  these  murderers? 
My  successor  would  fare  as  ill,  and  one  or  two  suc- 
cesses of  that  kind  would  set  the  whole  land  in  a  blaze 
of  rebellion." 

"  Very  true,"  interposed  Hassan  Bey,  who  had  en- 
tered while  the  other  was  speaking.  "  The  only  thing 
to  be  done  is  to  smother  the  insurrection  at  its  birth. 
I  am  ready  to  assist  Redjeb  Bey  with  a  strong  body  of 


>;•»  '^--*  f-' 


A  PLOT  AND  ITS  FAILURE.  185 

troops.  He  may  take  command,  as  he  is  acquainted  with 
the  localities  better  than  I  am,  and  it  will  be  strange 
if  we  do  not  succeed  in  crushing  this  brood  of  rebels." 

"  Do  what  you  think  best,"  said  Cherif-Pasha 
finally.  "  Matters  are  unquestionably  in  a  had  posi- 
tion, and  worse,  in  that,  as  I  may  tell  you  in  confi- 
dence, our  Eussian  neighbor  begins  to  bestir  himself 
uncomfortably.  It  appears  that  he  has  the  intention 
of  intermeddling  in  our  affairs  in  the  west,  and  I  see 
no  way  of  a  friendly  solution  of  the  diflficulties.  Should 
hostilities  once  break  out,  the  position  would  be  a  crit- 
ical one  if  we  had  troubles  of  our  own  to  look  after, 
too.  I  therefore  give  you  full  authority  to  prepare  an 
expedition  against  the  outlaws.  And  I  think  it  will 
be  well  to  use  the  utmost  severity  in  crushing  the  re- 
bellion before  it  spreads  further.  You  will  do  well, 
then,  to  get  in  motion  as  soon  as  possible  with  all  the 
troops  you  have  at  your  disposal." 

"I  am  ready,"  replied  Hassan  Bey;  "  I  only  wish 
first  to  arrange  a  plan  of  operations  with  Eedjeb  Bey. 
The  rebels  ought  to  receive  no  warning  of  our  move- 
ments. They  doubtless  have  friends  enough,  however, 
to  keep  them  well  informed.  It  would  be  well,  there- 
fore, to  draw  them  on  as  far  as  possible  into  this  dis- 
trict, so  that  they  may  be  cut  off  as  much  as  possible 
from  their  supporters." 

"  Good !  I  quite  agree  with  you,"  assented  the 
Pasha.  "I  rely  on  you  and  Eedjeb  Bey  to  make  a 
quick  end  of  the  matter.  You  need  not  spare  Elisba, 
but  his  associate,  the  boy  who  has  dared  to  defy  and 
insult  me,  I  would  like  to  have  delivered  alive  into  my 
own  hands,  that  I  may  show  him  what  it  means  to 
defy  the  representative  of  the  PadishaL 


i  ■  ■ 

186  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

Hassan  Bey  and  the  caimacam  at  once  set  about 
making  their  preparations.  The  simplest  plan  seemed 
to  be  to  drive  one  of  the  land-owners  to  make  resist- 
ance. He  could  then  be  imprisoned,  and  Elisba  would 
probably  feel  it  his  duty  to  attempt  his  release.  Has- 
san Bey  would  then  see  to  it  that  the  attempt  did  not 
succeed.  It  only  remained  to  commence  the  affair, 
and  to  bring  the  troops  to  the  neighborhood  where  the 
attack  of  the  enemy  was  to  be  expected. 

The  carrying  out  of  the  plan  did  not  seem  a  diffi- 
cult one  to  the  caimacam.  Near  the  village  of  Kedi 
lived  a  distant  relative  of  Elisba's  who  had  already 
attracted  Redjeb  Bey's  attention  by  the  sympathy  he 
had  expressed  for  the  rebels.  It  was  only  necessary  to 
summon  him  and  question  him  harshly  to  make  him 
compromise  himself.  Then,  when  he  had  been  im- 
prisoned, the  caimacam  would  send  one  of  his  depend- 
ents to  Elisba  to  play  the  part  of  a  complainant,  and 
in  the  name  of  the  prisoner  implore  him  to  release 
him  by  force. 

"  That  is  the  most  comfortable  way  of  bringing  on 
a  war,"  said  Redjeb  Bey,  laughing.  "  In  great  affairs 
it  is  not  much  different,  so  it  ought  to  succeed  in  our 
lesser  ones." 

As  Hassan  Bey  agreed  with  him,  there  was  no  need 
to  lose  any  time  in  putting  the  plan  into  operation. 
Redjeb  Bey  went  to  Kedi  on  the  pretense  of  looking 
up  taxes  that  were  in  default.  In  looking  over  the 
books  which  the  village  elder  showed,  he  found  that 
the  person  he  had  in  mind  as  a  victim  was  in  a  dispute 
with  the  authorities  relative  to  the  payment  of  his 
taxes.  He  claimed  to  have  paid  them  to  the  late 
caimacam,  Ali  Bey,  but  failed  to  take  a  receipt.     Re- 


^fij>- 


A  PLOT  AND  ITS  FAILURE.  187 

lying  on  his  word,  the  village  elder  had  let  the  matter 
rest.  But  now  the  caimacam  showed  himself  greatly 
displeased,  rated  the  village  official  severely  for  his 
neglect  of  duty,  and  threatened  him  with  heavy  pun- 
ishment if  the  matter  was  not  at  once  put  in  order. 
Greatly  frightened,  the  village  official  sent  at  once 
for  the  man  that  he  might  make  his  personal  expla- 
nations. 

The  caimacam's  stratagem  worked  welL  When  the 
land  owner  appeared,  there  arose  a  dispute  between 
them,  which  grew  warmer  and  warmer,  until  Redjeb 
Bey  cut  the  matter  short  by  having  the  man  thrown 
into  prison. 

He  then  immediately  sent  a  swift  messenger  to 
Hassan  Bey,  at  the  same  time  sending  one  of  his  creat- 
ures to  Elisba  to  make  a  complaint  in  the  name  of  the 
prisoner.  Otia,  as  this  spy  was  called,  reached  his 
destination  in  a  few  days,  and  was  immediately  led  to 
Elisba.  He  was  the  same  man  who  after  the  interview 
between  the  villagers  and  the  pasha  had  taken  part 
against  Elisba.  As  Kedjeb  Bey  had  assured  him  that 
Cherif-Pasha's  promises  should  be  carried  out  in  case 
he  succeeded  in  enticing  the  enemy  within  reach  of 
the  troops,  he  entered  on  his  mission  very  zealously, 
and  gave  a  horrifying  account  of  the  injustice  done 
the  tax  payer.  He  spoke  of  cruel  treatment,  the  de- 
spair of  the  wife  and  children  now  without  means  of 
support  or  a  roof  to  cover  their  heads,  and  worked 
upon  Elisba's  feelings  so  effectively  that  he  felt  sure 
the  latter  would  make  an  attempt  to  rescue  the  man. 
He  wished  to  accompany  the  band,  thinking  he  could 
easily  leave  them  at  a  favorable  moment  and  go  ahead 
to  warn  the  caimacam  of  the  enemy's  approach. 

13 


■^wrpr-7P?w™!w»?'»''ii!*«»ii?wis!^^^E.  'W'^m 


188  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

Djambek  noticed  the  overzealousness  with  which 
Otia  championed  the  cause  of  another.  He  had,  too, 
a  dim,  indefinite  remembrance  of  something  that  had 
prejudiced  him  against  the  man.  But  he  could  not 
remember  what  it  was,  and  so  let  it  go,  thinking  that 
it  was  only  an  instinctive  dislike. 

Elisba  called  his  followers  together  for  a  council. 
He  related  the  man's  story,  and  spoke  earnestly  of  the 
necessity  of  putting  an  end  to  such  tyranny  by  ener- 
getic measures,  and  expressed  the  hope  that  they  would 
yet  accomplish  this  if  they  acted  boldly  and  punished 
every  such  act  of  injustice  upon  the  spot. 

All  agreed  with  him,  and  announced  their  willing- 
ness to  take  part  in  an  attempt  at  rescuing  the  pris- 
oner. Many  were  in  favor  of  starting  at  once,  but 
Elisba  thought  it  better  to  wait  a  day  or  two,  as  he 
expected  a  new  accession  to  his  ranks  shortly. 

Otia's  patience  was  severely  tried,  but  he  avoided 
saying  too  much,  lest  he  should  arouse  suspicion. 

Finally  it  was  announced  that  they  would  start  that 
evening.  The  people  came  together  from  all  sides, 
and  toward  noon  there  was  encamped  in  the  field  be- 
fore Elisba's  house  a  little  army  of  several  hundreds. 

The  leader  was  consulting  with  a  few  of  the  men 
when  suddenly  Yordane  came  hurrying  up  with  a 
stranger  who  had  just  arrived,  and  who  said  he  had 
important  news  for  Djambek. 

Elisba  took  the  letter  and  went  into  the  house  to 
find  his  friend. 

"  An  important  letter  for  you,"  he  said,  handing  it 
to  his  associate. 

Djambek  opened  it  and  read  the  few  lines  from 
Ahmed,  inclosing  another  from  Daria : 


-» ■ 


■f- 


'w^'V^^'^^si^^f'-     "  ■■  --   ■■■^^- -  ■  -   ■   -''--yf^ 


A  PLOT  AND  ITS  FAILURE.  189 

"  Thamar's  friend  has  just  been  here,  and  charged 
me  to  send  you  the  inclosed  without  a  moment's  de- 
lay.   There  is  danger  threatened." 

Then  he  read  aloud  Daria's  note  : 

"  Be  on  your  guard.  They  are  trying  to  draw  you 
into  a  trap.  I  know  from  a  reliable  source  that  Hassan 
Bey  leaves  here  to-night  with  a  large  force  to  join  the 
caimacam  in  Kedi.  They  seem  to  expect  you  there  to 
make  an  attack  on  the  prison.  Your  lives  are  in  haz- 
ard, so  do  not  permit  yourself  under  any  pretense  to 
go  near  that  place.  Daeia." 

Elisba  stood  a  long  time  in.  silence,  his  eyes  upon 
the  ground. 

"  Then  there  is  a  traitor  among  us,"  he  said  finally. 

"  Without  doubt,"  said  Djambek. 

"  Are  we  to  believe  that  Otia — " 

"Yes,  he  has  been  sent  to  lead  us  into  a  net," 
Djambek  interposed,  the  whole  matter  becoming  clear 
to  him.  "  I  remember  now  a  circumstance  that  speaks 
strongly  against  the  man."  And  he  told  his  friend  of 
the  part  Otia  had  taken  at  the  conference. 

"And  who  is  the  person  who  has  sent  you  the 
warning  ?  "  asked  Elisba. 

"  You  know  her.  She  was  in  our  company  when 
we  took  part  in  your  wedding — Thamar's  friend." 

"Ah!  I  remember  her.  We  are  deeply  indebted 
to  her,  Djambek." 

"  Yes,  our  lives  were  in  her  hands." 

"  Do  you  think  this  Otia  invented  the  whole  story, 
or  is  a  part  of  it  true? " 


'T-  -7f^  >-■  ■^=^"'^"  ™    -/?  ,^^  ->-{^%p^^^ 


190  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

"  That  is  hard  to  tell.  What  do  you  think  of  doing 
now?" 

"  First  of  all,  we  will  try  this  man.  If  it  be  shown 
that  he  is  guilty  of  this  shameful  treachery,  to  deliyer 
his  own  countrymen  to  the  enemy,  a  severe  example 
must  be  made.  Yordane,"  he  said  to  his  former  tenant, 
who  just  then  entered,  "tell  Otia  that  we  wish  to 
speak  to  him." 

In  a  few  minutes  Yordane  returned  accompanied 
by  Otia. 

■ "  Stay,"  said  Elisba  to  the  former  as  he  was  about 
to  go  out  again.  "  You  shall  be  a  witness  of  our  inter- 
view." Then,  looking  Otia  sharply  in  the  face,  he  said 
to  him: 

"  You  are  of  the  opinion  that  the  prisoner  can  be 
easily  rescued  ?  " 

"  I  think  so,"  he  answered.  "  The  prison  is  an  old 
building,  and  the  caimacam  has  only  a  handful  of  sol- 
diers with  him." 

"  Only  a  handful !  Perhaps  some  twenty  or  thirty, 
eh?" 

"  Certainly  not  more." 

"  Then  it  would  suffice  if  I  sent  Yordane  with  a 
part  of  our  men.  Why  should  we  all  make  the  long, 
hard  journey  ?  " 

"  You  forget,  sir,  that  the  people  of  the  place  may 
assist  the  caimacam." 

"  Pah !  they  would  be  more  likely  to  assist  us  than 
him.    No,  you  have  forgotten  a  part  of  your  message." 

"  What ! " 

"  Yes,  and  the  most  important  part,  too.  Why  did 
you  not  tell  us  that  the  caimacam  expects  a  strong 
armed  force  from  Batoum  to  assist  him." 


?^'^r~^s^'''ff?^^^^^^^JS?!^_^:»>h!X  -  ■■'^~?7^"?*!PSS!Wi 


A  PLOT  AND  ITS  FAILURE.  191 

Otia  became  pale. 

"  From  Batomn  ? "  he  stammered.  "  I  knew 
nothing  about  that." 

"Your  memory  appears  to  be  very  short,  or  did 
you,  perhaps,  have  some  particular  reason  for  withhold- 
ing that  important  information  ?  " 

"  I  don't  know  what  you  mean,  sir."  Otia's  voice 
trembled  and  his  eyes  looked  toward  the  door  as  if 
calculating  the  chances  for  escape. 

"  Your  face  and  your  voice  betray  you,  miserable 
wretch,"  cried  Elisba,  at  the  same  time  springing  to 
the  door  and  drawing  his  pistol.  "  You  knew  very 
well  that  Hassan  Bey  had  planned  with  the  others  to 
draw  us  into  a  net,  and  you  offered  your  services  for 
the  price  of  blood  to  deliver  us  into  their  hands." 

The  man  could  do  nothing  else  but  fall  upon  his 
knees  and  beg  for  mercy. 

"  They  forced  me  to  do  it — they  threatened  my  life 
if  I  did  not  do  as  they  wished." 

"  You  lie !  It  was  for  a  reward  that  you  agreed  to 
betray  your  countrymen.  The  glitter  of  gold  confused 
your  eyes  and  stifled  the  voice  of  your  heart.  For  a 
vile  reward  you  lent  yourself  to  the  betrayal  of  hun- 
dreds of  your  own  people  to  the  headsman.  That  is 
the  truth,  man.  Do  you  think  your  tale  has  even  the 
appearance  of  truth  ?  "Who  could  be  forced  to  such 
a  deed  ?  Had  you  been  an  honorable  man  and  they 
threatened  you  as  you  say,  you  would  have  said : 
*They  have  threatened  my  life  and  my  property  if 
I  do  not  do  their  bidding.  I  will  abandon  my  goods 
and  join  my  own  people  in  fighting  for  their  rights.' 
Yordane !  bind  his  hands,  and  you,  don't  you  stir,  or 
I  will  put  a  bullet  through  your  head ! " 


■^j--^^^-^  w^--^ 


192  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

Yordane  having  quickly  taken  off  his  girdle  and 
with  it  tied  the  man's  hands  behind  him,  Elisba  threw 
open  the  door. 

"  Take  him  out,"  he  said,  "  that  I  may  accuse  him 
publicly." 

He  went  out,  and  waving  his  hand,  called  his  fol- 
lowers together.  They  came  and  formed  a  half -circle 
about  him.    Then  he  said  in  a  loud  voice : 

"  I  do  not  feel  justified  in  acting  alone  the  part  of 
a  judge.  We  are  here  all  equal,  and  all  sworn  to  fight 
for  the  good  cause.  Where  it  is  necessary  to  meet  the 
enemy  with  weapons  in  our  hands,  one  must  be  the 
leader,  and  you  have  chosen  me.  But  in  the  present 
case  each  one  has  the  right  to  express  his  personal 
opinion.  The  decision  must  rest  with  you."  Then 
he  related  how  Otia,  under  the  mask  of  friendship,  had 
crept  in  among  them  to  betray  his  countrymen  to 
death.  "  Now  speak,  all  of  you.  What  punishment 
does  he  deserve  ?  " 

"  Death !  Death ! "  was  the  unanimous  answer. 

"  You  have  heard  your  sentence."  said  Elisba, 
turning  with  a  look  of  contempt  to  the  prisoner,  who 
in  his  terror  had  sunk  upon  the  ground. 

"  Permit  me  to  say  a  word,"  said  Djambek,  who 
stood  by  Elisba's  side ;  and  at  a  nod  from  the  leader, 
he  proceeded.  "  There  is  no  question  but  that  treach- 
ery is  one  of  the  most  shameful  of  crimes,  perhaps 
the  most  shameful.  Only  a  coward  is  capable  of  it, 
and  I  agree  fully  with  your  verdict ;  but  on  the  other 
hand,  it  does  not  seem  to  me  to  be  fitting  that  we 
should  play  the  role  of  the  hangman.  We  do  not  fight 
against  such  worthless,  contemptible  creatures.  Our 
cause  is  a  noble  one — ^to  fight  for  the  rights  which  are 


IJSJS^S?;" 


A  PLOT  AND  ITS  FAILURE.  193 

onrs  by  the  inheritance  of  ages.  Our  canse  is  too  holy 
that  we  should  allow  it  to  be  said  of  us,  They  have 
taken  the  pretense  of  freeing  the  people  as  a  cloak  to 
hide  deeds  of  murder.  Until  now  we  are  free  from 
this  reproach.  Elisba  slew  his  enemy  in  honorable 
fight.  He  risked  his  life  for  his  vengeance.  But  in 
this  case,  the  circumstances  are  different.  We  are  a 
hundred  against  one.  Do  you  not  believe  that  when 
this  is  known,  hundreds  who  are  now  secretly  in  sym- 
pathy with  us  will  reproach  us  with  having  put  to 
death  one  of  our  own  blood  ?  Do  you  not  believe  that 
our  enemies  will  spread  the  news  as  far  and  as  quickly 
as  they  can  that  we  are  a  band  of  murderers  to  be  avoid- 
ed by  every  lover  of  peace  and  justice  ?  And  do  you 
not  know  that  when  such  statements  are  often  repeated 
they  will  come  to  be  accepted  as  truths  by  the  masses  ? 
Until  now  our  fellow-countrymen  yonder  know  that 
they  will  find  in  us  help  and  protection ;  but  if  this 
deed  is  spread  abroad  they  wiU  hereafter  look  upon 
our  acts  with  distrust  and  suspicion.  Let  us  go 
against  our  enemies  and  offer  them  open  battle,  but 
let  us  not  stain  our  cause  with  a  deed  of  revenge  for 
which  neither  courage  nor  strength  is  required.  Let 
those  play  the  role  of  hangman  whom  we  despise  and 
hate  because  they  use  their  power  for  the  oppression 
of  the  weak.  And  one  thing  more.  I  owe  it  to  an 
accident  that  I  was  enabled  to  warn  Elisba  of  this 
treachery.  I  do  not  claim  that  as  a  service,  but  I  feel 
sure  that  you  are  thankful  to  the  good  fortune  that 
saved  us  from  certain  destruction,  and  will  therefore 
feel  more  merciful  toward  this  poor,  cowardly  wretch 
who  kneels  trembling  before  you.  I  do  not  wish  to  be 
stained  with  the  blood  of  the  wretched  creature.    I 


''■iftMlM!B|C''P»^"      ■-        ■  ^  -  '  ■  -^  -:^K^..-i^f-^.  tTsw«F-"'T^^''.r,%7^ ::^'*T!ww|p; yv^xr ' ~ '■^^ ^"f^^^J'^-'y'y^^-tT:''' 


194  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

should  consider  it  an  insult  if  I  were  charged  with 
wishing  to  punish  him  otherwise  than  hy  driving  him 
with  whips  out  of  our  midst.  And  now  do  what  you 
think  is  right.  What  do  you  say,  Elisba  ?  Do  you 
agree  with  me  ?  " 

While  Djarabek  had  been  speaking  Elisba  kept  his 
eyes  grimly  fixed  upon  the  ground.  His  friend's  words 
had  awakened  a  responsive  feeling  in  his  mind,  but, 
on  the  other  hand,  he  felt  that  a  stem  example  was 
necessary  to  prevent  others  from  playing  the  same 
role. 

"  You  interfered  once  before,"  he  said  in  a  low  tone. 
"  Had  we  at  that  time  disposed  of  the  caimacam  this 
could  not  have  happened." 

"And  his  successor?"  said  Djambek.  "Do  you 
think  he  would  have  sat  with  his  hands  in  his  lap  ?  " 

"  Very  well ;  we  will  not  dispute  about  the  matter. 
We  have  to  thank  you  for  the  discovery  of  the  danger, 
and  therefore  I  will  not  oppose  your  wishes."  He  raised 
his  voice.  "  Have  you  considered  Djambek's  words  ?  " 
he  asked,  addressing  the  circle  about  him. 

«  We  have." 

"  What  is  your  decision  ?  " 

Some  cried,  "  Death  ! "  others,  "  Let  him  go ! " 
others,  "  Whip  him  out ! " 

Elisba  raised  his  hand  and  motioned  them  to  be 
silent. 

"  We  can  not  arrive  at  any  decision  in  this  way," 
he  cried.  "  I  will  divide  you  into  groups,  and  then 
one  from  each  group  can  announce  how  many  voices 
are  for  death  and  how  many  for  mercy." 

They  quickly  understood,  and  the  half-circle  was 
quickly  divided  into  three  groups. 


J!UlM*fUPfH)!BW^»-!Uipi*if"lf|l!M«PP»«M^  '  'PWHIU  l^|JWp«!!l|IRlJ*JS»»*Wil:#«J$ftjyi| 


A  PLOT  AND  ITS  FAILURE.  I95 

"  Who  are  in  favor  of  deatli  ?  "  asked  Elisba,  after 
a  few  moments. 

A  man  stepped  forward  from  one  of  the  groups. 

"  We  are,"  he  said. 

"How  many?" 

"  Ninety-five." 

"  Who  are  for  whipping  him  ?  " 

Another  man  stepped  forward. 

"  One  hundred  and  thirty-two,"  he  said. 

"  How  many  are  for  letting  him  go  without  pun- 
ishment ?  " 

A  third  stepped  forward.  "Five  hundred  and 
ninety-six,"  he  said. 

"  Very  well ;  that  decides  the  matter."  Elisba 
turned  to  Yordane.    "  Loose  him.    He  is  free." 

Otia  sprang  forward  and  attempted  to  kiss  Djam- 
bek's  feet,  then  Elisba's,  but  they  thrust  him  aside 
with  contempt. 

"  Go,  wretch ! "  exclaimed  Djambek,  "  and  let  this 
be  a  warning  to  you  for  life." 

In  the  mean  time  a  murmur  of  dissatisfaction  had 
arisen  among  the  men.  Those  who  had  been  in  favor 
of  death  were  dissatisfied  that  the  man  should  es- 
cape without  any  punishment,  and  Bessarion,  Elis- 
ba's servant,  came  forward  to  remonstrate  with  his 
master. 

"  It  is  decided, "  said  the  latter  coldly :  "  the  major- 
ity wished  it." 

Otia  was  sensible  enough  to  use  the  moment  whUe 
the  company  were  excitedly  discussing  the  matter  to 
get  away.  As  soon  as  he  reached  the  forest  he  broke 
into  a  run. 

He  did  not  see  that  Bessarion  and  a  few  others  had 


^Hf^glfl^^lf^^:^'^'^'^™'^'^-'^^'™^''^'^'^  I 'W^-wJi! '•■<«i'«i*l!(l*mMWi|.^ii^iti(j™,«|Wii,j^(.^j»lil^"^ijp»UMi:»*^ 


196  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

separated  from  the  rest  and  were  following  on  his 
track. 

"  And  now,"  said  Elisba,  "  we  must  find  out  whether 
that  villain  did  not  in  part  tell  the  truth.  I  will  select 
two  trustworthy  men,  and  send  them  to  Kedi  to  learn 
how  matters  stand." 


W"^'' 


;.-  j^iAn'^-f-ri..    .ifi 


CHAPTER  XVL 

A  LUCKLESS  EMBASSADOR. 

Hassan"  Bey  arrived  with  his  troops  and  waited 
several  days  without  hearing  anything  from  the  mes- 
senger. A  part  of  the  force  was  quartered  in  the 
prisoner's  house,  the  rest  in  the  village  and  on  the 
surrounding  farms.  A  strong  guard  had  been  placed 
around  the  prison. 

As  the  days  went  by  without  any  news  from  Otia, 
Hassan  Bey  became  impatient. 

"  Suppose  your  messenger  is  a  partisan  of  Elisba's, 
and  has  betrayed  our  whole  plan  to  him  ?  "  he  said  to 
Redjeb  Bey. 

"  That  is  not  likely.  He  is  one  of  those  who  look 
to  their  own  profit  before  anything  else  ;  and  he 
knows  he  can  get  no  compensation  there  if  we  con- 
fiscate his  property  here.  He  must  come  soon.  Let 
us  go 'out  for  a  little  while.  The  cool  evening  air 
will  be  a  pleasant  change  from  the  closeness,  of  the 
room." 

Dusk  was  approaching,  and  deep  shadows  covered 
the  valley.  The  small  room  in  which  they  sat  was 
already  almost  dark. 

Hassan  Bey  arose  to  follow  the  camiacam,  who  had 
stepped  to  the  door  and  was  about  going  out 


r  ■r-i?^7'  !W-v»??'"  *,3P  V  ->':^'TE?*  i7K3yiisi?.'^t:«(^.:'i^''T  V.' ^^ 


108  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 


« 


What  is  that  ?  "  said  the  latter,  suddenly  stopping. 
"Who  put  that  there?" 

The  twilight  was  still  sufficient  to  show  the  object 
distinctly,  and  Redjeb  Bey  saw  a  package  wrapped  up 
in  cloth  lying  before  the  threshold. 

Hassan  Bey  stepped  nearer. 

"  Perhaps  it  is  some  delicate  present,  the  gift  of  some 
one  who  requires  your  protection,"  he  said  jokingly. 

The  caimacam  called  his  servant,  who  was  just  then 
passing. 

"  Do  you  know  who  brought  this  ?  "  he  asked. 

The  man  assured  him  he  had  seen  no  one. 

«  See  what  it  is  ?  " 

The  servant  commenced  to  unroll  the  package,  but 
suddenly  dropped  it  with  a  cry  of  horror,  as  the  re- 
moval of  the  last  fold  disclosed  a  human  face. 

"  What  is  it  ?  "  asked  Hassan  Bey,  stepping  closer. 
But  he,  too,  started  back.  "Here  is  the  messenger 
you  were  waiting  for!"  he  cried  to  the  caimacam. 
"  They  have  cut  off  your  ambassador's  head  and  sent 
it  to  you  as  a  present ! " 

Redjeb  Bey  stared  at  the  ghastly  head,  unable  to 
say  a  word,  while  Hassan  Bey,  muttering  curses,  strode 
up  and  down  before  the  house. 

"  We  have  to  do  with  a  desperate  enemy ! "  said 
Hassan  Bey  at  length.  "  Believe  me  !  These  desperate 
peasants  have  nothing  to  lose,  and  so  shrink  from  noth- 
ing. I  confess  I  am  for  the  moment  helpless  and  do 
not  know  how  to  begin.  Shall  we  hunt  them  out  of 
their  den  ?  In  that  case  I  must  have  not  hundreds, 
but  thousands  of  men  behind  me,  and  even  then  it 
would  be  easy  for  them  to  massacre  us  while  we  were 
climbing  up  those  cursed  rocks." 


>  «.-^ap^^5p. 


A  LUCKLESS  EMBASSADOR.  199 

"  Very  true,"  replied  the  caimacam ;  "  but  now  that 
we  have  gone  thus  far,  are  we  to  stop  and  let  the  out- 
laws have  their  way?" 

"  That  we  must  not  do,  or  all  Adjaria  will  blaze 
with  rebellion.  We  must  proceed  with  firmness  and 
severity.  But  our  force  is  not  large  enough.  We 
must  get  troops  from  Trebizonde,  and  then  strike  a 
decisive  blow.  In  the  mean  time,  I  will  remain  here. 
They  may  be  presumptuous  enough  to  make  an  attack, 
after  all.  You  had  best  go  to  Batoum  and  arrange 
matters  with  the  pasha." 

Redjeb  Bey  agreed,  and  said  he  would  start  the 
next  morning.  His  departure,  however,  was  hastened 
by  his  receiving  late  that  evening  a  message  from  Ti- 
beti,  where  he  usually  resided,  saying  that  Elisba  with 
his  band  had  attacked  the  place,  taken  most  of  the 
guard  prisoners,  and  burned  the  government  building. 
There  was  not  a  minute  to  lose.  The  caimacam  ordered 
his  boat  to  be  got  ready  immediately  and  started  at 
once  for  the  city  to  advise  Cherif-Pasha  that  a  regular 
campaign  must  be  begun  against  the  rebels. 

The  news  of  these  occurrences  reached  Batoum 
before  Redjeb  Bey's  arrival.  There  was  even  more 
known  there  than  the  caimacam  had  to  announce.  He 
found  great  excitement  prevailing,  as  the  day  before 
there  had  come  reports  that  the  rebels  would  attack 
Batoum  itself,  and  that  morning  Cherif-Pasha  had 
received  a  note  wherein  Elisba  announced  his  coming 
in  the  next  few  days. 

Cherif-Pasha  sought  refuge  for  himseK  and  his 
household  under  the  pretense  of  a  visit  to  Murza-Khan. 
He  hoped  to  find  safety  under  that  hospitable  roof 
from  the  dangers  that  immediately  threatened.     His 


200  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

flight,  as  every  one  considered  this  sudden  visit,  gave 
rise  to  the  wildest  rumors.  The  political  news  of  the 
day  was  mixed  up  with  these  rumors,  and  it  was  even 
said  that  Elisba  had  encamped  near  the  city  with 
several  thousand  men,  intending  to  form  the  advance 
guard  of  a  Russian  army  corps,  which  was  ready  on 
the  frontier  to  invade  the  country  immediately  on  the 
declaration  of  war.  It  needed  but  little  to  bring  about 
a  panic.  The  merchants  prepared  to  place  their  goods 
on  board  of  vessels,  while  the  rest  of  the  inhabitants 
were  divided  into  two  parties,  according  to  their  nation- 
ality, the  one  preparing  also  to  remove  their  goods, 
while  the  other  was  ready  with  glad  hearts  to  welcome 
the  deliverers  who  were  to  free  them  by  fire  and  sword 
from  a  long  oppression. 

Artschil  used  the  opportunity  for  going  by  ship 
directly  to  Constantinople.  He  had  many  friends  there 
in  influential  circles,  and  it  seemed  to  him  to  be  a  good 
time  to  attempt  making  an  end  of  Cherif-Pasha's 
rule  by  giving  in  the  proper  quarter  a  true  account  of 
the  existing  circumstances. 

Cherif-Pasha  had  entirely  lost  his  head.  As  he 
saw  his  capital  deprived  of  defense  by  the  withdrawal 
of  the  troops  under  Hassan  Bey  into  the  mountains, 
and  hearing  every  day  fresh  news  of  the  rebel's  actions, 
he  trembled  for  his  life,  and  even  thought  of  resigning 
his  position  to  escape  the  fury  of  the  storm  that  he  saw 
approaching. 

The  caimacam  was,  therefore,  no  little  surprised 
when  he  saw  what  unexpected  changes  the  events  of 
the  past  few  days,  unimportant  in  themselves,  had 
brought  about.  All  whom  he  met  spoke  in  sarcastic 
and  contemptuous  tones  of  Cherif-Pasha,  and  all  laid 


A  LUCKLESS  EMBASSADOR.  201 

on  him  the  blame  for  the  dangers  that  now  threatened 
them. 

There  were  many  voices,  too,  who  spoke  openly  in 
favor  of  Elisba's  party.  He  had  been  forced,  they 
said,  into  his  present  position,  and  it  was  but  a  Just 
punishment  that  was  now  overtaking  those  who  for 
years  had  piled  up  riches  wrung  from  the  hands  of  the 
poor  and  defenseless.  It  was  thought  by  many  that 
Elisba  had  been  induced  by  the  Kussian  Government 
to  bring  about  a  general  uprising  at  the  proper  mo- 
ment, and  this  was  so  confidently  believed  by  many 
that  they  made  no  scruple  of  openly  declaring  their 
adherence  to  the  new  movement.  It  was  now  sud- 
denly brought  to  their  minds  that  the  authorities  here 
were  but  foreigners,  and  that  beyond  the  mountains 
lived  those  of  their  own  race,  and  that  matters  went 
much  better  under  Kussian  dominion.  The  question 
of  nationality  blossomed  in  a  night  and  constantly 
gained  new  adherents ;  and  while  heretofore  one  had 
heard  on  the  streets  little  else  but  Turkish  spoken, 
now  the  Georgian  language  was  the  most  prominent. 
One  even  heard  many  Eussian  phrases.  It  was  as  if 
at  a  single  stroke  the  city  had  changed  its  inhabit- 
ants. 

Redjeb  Bey  had  opportunity  to  hear  all  this  during 
the  few  hours  he  spent  in  Batoum,  and  it  was  almost 
with  despair  that  he  started  for  Kardjeti-Tziche,  to 
confer  with  Cherif-Pasha  on  the  steps  to  be  taken. 

Murza-Khan  had  been  no  little  surprised  at  the 
advent  of  the  pasha  with  his  extensive  following.  He 
had  indeed  heard  some  of  the  prevailing  rumors,  but 
paid  them  little  attention.  But  he  learned  from  Totia 
in  confidence  that  matters  were  undoubtedly  in  a  bad 


".if'.V^-^-- 


202  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

way,  the  pasha's  factotum  not  considering  it  necessary 
to  keep  silence  as  to  the  real  cause  for  their  visit  to 
their  influential  neighbor. 

Murza-Khan  could  not  suppress  a  sarcastic  smile 
as  he  again  met  his  guest. 

"  One  hears  all  sorts  of  stories,"  he  said,  "  but  I 
will  not  belieye  they  are  true." 

Cherif-Pasha  felt  the  necessity  of  speaking  frankly 
to  his  host,  in  whom  he  hoped  to  find  a  protector  for 
the  time  being. 

"  I  do  not  know  what  you  have  heard,"  he  said, 
with  a  sigh,  "  but  I  may  say  to  you,  as  a  particular 
friend,  that  things  have  taken  a  turn  for  the  worst." 

He  then  began  to  complain  of  the  failure  of  Has- 
san Bey's  enterprise,  and  expressed  the  fear  that  his 
strength  was  not  equal  to  that  of  the  insurgents. 

"  "What ! "  exclaimed  Murza-Khan,  "  does  the  gov- 
ernment feel  powerless  before  a  gang  of  crazy  ad- 
venturers ?  " 

"  Not  exactly  powerless,"  replied  the  pasha,  seeing 
the  bad  effect  of  his  confidential  avowal.  "  No,  cer- 
tainly not. powerless,  but  for  the  moment  there  are 
unpleasant  complications.  Of  course  the  rebellion  will 
be  crushed  in  a  moment  as  soon  as  our  troops  can  face 
them,  but  these  bandits  know  every  hole  in  the  mount- 
ains, so  that  we  have  as  yet  been  unable  to  find  them. 
Let  us  once  get  at  them,  and  you  will  see  that  the 
government  is  by  no  means  powerless." 

Murza-Khan's  face  again  showed  traces  of  a  sar- 
castic smile,  as  he  nodded  his  head  and  said : 

"  Yes,  the  old  proverb  says :  '  If  you  will  hang  a 
man  you  must  first  get  his  head  into  a  noose.'  Tell 
me,  is  it  true  that  Elisba  sent  you  a  message  say- 


A  LUCKLESS  EMBASSADOR.  203 

ing  that  he  intended  to  make  you  a  visit  in  Batoum 
shortly?" 

"Pah!  that  is — I  believe — yes,  I  remember  now, 
gome  one  did  bring  me  a  writing  signed  with  his 
name.  I  presume  it  was  the  work  of  some  practical 
joker." 

"  Who  knows  ?  He  undoubtedly  is  aware  that  the 
troops  are  busy  elsewhere,  and  it  would  be  quite  like 
him  to  make  the  venture.  It  would  be  a  fine  chance 
for  him." 

"  What  do  you  mean  ?  You  don't  suppose  he  would 
have  the  audacity?  " 

"  You  forget  that  D jambek  is  with  him,  and  that 
when  I  saw  the  young  man,  he  spoke  of  making  you  a 
visit  before  long.  Perhaps  the  present  rumor,  or,  still 
more,  the  letter,  is  connected  with  that.  Is  it  true 
that  D jambek  intends  to  marry  your  niece?" 

"  What  are  you  thinking  of  ?  Aside  from  the  fact 
that  I  would  strangle  him  with  my  own  hands  if  I  met 
him,  it  is  hardly  probable  he  would  care  to  marry  an 
insane  girl." 

"  That  is  strange.  I  had  an  opportunity  recently 
to  overhear  your  niece  talking  with  her  friend  Daria. 
It  was  quite  by  accident,  and  they  had  no  suspicion 
that  I  overheard  them — and  she  appeared  to  me  any- 
thing but  insane." 

Cherif- Pasha  looked  at  the  other  distrustfully.  Was 
he  making  sport  of  him  in  his  misfortunes,  or  did  he 
speak  the  truth  ?  What  if  Thamar  had  been  pretend- 
ing in  order  to  avoid  the  marriage  he  wished  her  to 
make,  and  suppose  Elisba  really  meditated  an  attack 
in  order  that  his  friend  might  carry  off  his  bride? 
His  head  became  suddenly  so  confused  that  he  felt 
•      14 


204  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

giddy,  and  he  tottered  toward  the  divan  and  sank  down 
upon  it.    At  that  moment  Redjeb  Bey  entered. 

"  All  is  lost  I "  he  cried.  "  Every  hour  the  enemy 
is  expected  to  appear  in  Batoum  I " 

This  news  aroused  the  pasha,  and  he  found  strength 
enough  to  stagger  to  his  feet  Then  he  tottered  back 
and  forth  for  an  instant  like  a  drunken  man,  and  fell 
heavily  back  on  the  divan,  and  from  there  rolled  upon 
the  floor,  where  he  lay  senseless. 

"  It  appears  that  your  news  has  somewhat  affected 
our  friend,"  said  Murza-Khan  indifferently.  "  We 
will  send  him  to  the  women  to  be  nursed.  Come,  I 
would  like  to  know  how  much  truth  there  is  in  these 
reports." 

Redjeb  Bey  followed  his  friend  out  of  doors,  and 
there  answered  his  repeated  questioning. 

"  The  truth  of  the  matter  ?  "  he  said.  « I  fear  it  is 
very  much  what  is  reported.  In  Batoum  there  is 
perfect  confusion  and  worse  feeling.  It  is  asserted 
that  Elisba  is  near  the  city  ready  to  make  an  attack. 
That  may  be  prevented.  I,  of  course,  immediately 
sent  word  to  Hassan  Bey.  But  what  is  worse,  war  is 
at  the  door,  and  it  is  asserted  positively  that  Elisba  has 
arranged  with  the  Russians  to  prepare  for  them  a  way 
into  the  country,  and  to  call  on  all  the  inhabitants  of 
Adjaria  to  rise  in  rebellion." 

At  this,  Murza-Khan's  eyebrows  drew  darkly  to- 
gether, and  he  laid  his  hand  mechanically  on  his 
dagger. 

"If  I  knew  that  was  the  fact,  I  would  not  be 
long  in  giving  Elisba  something  to  think  about.  The 
Russians  !  Does  the  fool  think  he  will  be  any  better 
off  if  the  Russians  get  the  country?    I  could  tell  him 


A  LUCKLESS  EMBASSADOR.  205 

how  my  father  fared  with  them,  and  how  he  Just  had 
time  to  sell  his  property  and  come  here,  or  they  would 
not  have  left  him  a  nail.  And  now  these  idiots  expect 
to  invite  over  here  these  hungry  wolves !  Never ! "  he  - 
cried  wildly.  "Never!  And  I  remember  now  how 
that  dreamer  Djambek  talked  about  some  such  thing 
until  I  told  him  that  I  would  strike  such  a  traitor 
dead  with  my  dagger  without  a  minute's  hesitation. 
There  may  be  truth  in  these  reports,  and  we  will  do 
well  to  provide  for  our  safety." 

«  What !  will  you  flee,  too  ?  " 

«  Did  I  speak  of  fleeing  ?  " 

"  I  thought  perhaps  you  meant  it  would  be  safer 
to  load  your  valuables  on  a  vessel,  and  then — " 

"  Undoubtedly,"  interposed  the  other,  "  but  there 
is  no  hurry.  For  the  present  the  whole  affair  is  but 
child's  play.  Has  war  been  declared?  No.  Then 
why  vacate  the  premises  for  them  before  they  have 
even  knocked  at  the  door  ?  First  of  aU,  we  must  put 
an  end  to  this  child's  play  of  Elisba's.  We  are  a  peace- 
loving  people  here,  but  if  any  one  disturbs  us,  we  must, 
for  good  or  for  evil,  break  the  peace  and  exchange  our 
tools  for  weapons." 

"Very  true,"  said  Kedjeb  Bey.  "It  would  be  a 
shame  if  a  handful  of  adventurers  could  for  any  length 
of  time  disturb  an  industrious  people  and  threaten 
them  with  serious  danger.'* 

"  That  they  shall  not.  If  they  have  any  quarrel 
with  you  let  them  fight  it  out  in  your  district,  and  not 
come  to  harrass  us.  We  always  got  along  well  with 
you,  and  we  want  no  change  at  present." 

"You  shall  be  remembered  for  this.  When  we 
have  brought  these  robbers  to  terms,  you  may  depend 


":v^^?«^T^'r^^?<»5^^-f7-:'??^'^'S^  <  '^•^^WTST. 


206  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

on  your  manly  behavior  being  made  known  in  high 
circles,  I  promise  you." 

"  It  is  not  necessary,"  said  Murza-Khan,  with  a 
gesture  of  refusal.  "  I  am  not  one  of  those  who  strive 
for  honors  and  feel  themselves  something  great  because 
they  can  wear  a  star  on  their  breasts.  What  I  want  is 
peace  and  quiet.  I  have  always  known  how  to  get 
along  well  enough  with  the  authorities  and  with  my 
neighbors,  who  are  all  more  or  less  dependent  on  me. 
I  have  only  to  say  to  the  people :  '  Over  there  in  the 
mountains  is  a  band  of  idlers,  fellows  who  think  they 
know  more  than  anybody  else,  and  want  to  bring 
about  a  change.  Arm  yourselves  !  We  will  show  them 
we  don't  want  their  help,  and  we  will  root  them  out, 
for  they  are  joined  with  a  covetous  enemy  of  ours  who 
has  long  had  his  eyes  on  our  property.  Over  there 
the  people  are  so  burdened  with  taxes  that  they  don't 
know  where  to  get  anything  to  eat,  and  so  want  to 
come  and  take  what  we  have  got'  If  I  talk  so  to  the 
people,  you  will  see  how  they  will  come  together  in  a 
minute  to  clean  out  the  place.  I  am  sure  that  in  less 
than  three  days  I  can  get  a  little  army  together,  and 
then — Elisba,  may  the  Prophet  be  merciful  to  you ! " 

Eedjeb  Bey  saw  at  once  that  he  had  gained  a  valu- 
able ally.  If  Murza-Khan  would  undertake  to  harass 
the  enemy  from  this  side,  the  safety  of  the  city  would 
be  assured.  Hassan  Bey  would  need  no  re-enforce- 
ments, and  he  himself  could  play  a  role  that  would 
bring  him  much  credit. 

The  thought  had  already  occurred  to  him  that  he 
might  possibly  replace  Cherif-Pasha,  who,  in  his  pres- 
ent weak,  broken  state,  would  doubtless  be  glad  to  re- 
sign.   Murza-Khan  had  expressly  said  that  he  wished 


A  LTTCKLESS  EMiBASSADOR.  207 

no  reward.  But  some  one  must  reap  the  fruits  if  mat- 
ters were  brought  to  a  satisfactory  conclusion,  and  why 
should  it  not  be  he  as  well  as  another.  The  prize  was, 
at  any  rate,  worth  the  attempt,  and  he  determined  to 
keep  on  the  best  terms  with  Murza-Khan.  He  had 
noticed  that  a  reference  to  the  Eussians  had  greatly 
excited  the  latter. 

"  You  would  do  quite  right  to  speak  thus  to  the 
people,"  he  said,  "  and  I  admire  your  sagacity."  Then 
lowering  his  voice  to  a  whisper,  he  continued :  "  I  can 
confide  in  you  as  a  true  comrade.  It  is  actually  true, 
what  I  just  intimated.  In  Stamboul  they  are  expect- 
ing a  declaration  of  war  every  day,  and  large  bodies  of 
troops  are  already  massed  near  the  frontier.  I  know 
it  from  most  reliable  sources.  Unfortunately,  Cherif- 
Pasha  has  been  very  indolent  of  late,  and  has  paid  little 
or  no  attention  to  this.  Now,  in  his  present  condition, 
I  fear  very  much  that  he  is  incapable  of  calling  up  the 
requisite  energy,  and  I  think  it  proper  to  take  all  pre- 
cautionary measures.  Hassan  Bey  is  an  active,  brave 
man.  With  his  assistance,  I  could  assure  the  safety  of 
Batoum,  and  also  make  a  movement  against  the  rebels 
which  would  prevent  their  acquiring  any  power  before 
the  outbreak  of  war.  If  this  movement  is  not  crushed 
in  time,  we  shall  have  an  enemy  before  us  both  within 
and  without  the  frontier." 

Murza-Khan  was  silent  for  some  time.  Then  he 
said,  with  a  sudden  determination : 

"  Cherif-Pasha  is  not  become  indolent  recently  ; 
he  always  was  so.  Do  you  know  what,  Eedjeb-Bey  ? 
You  must  act  in  his  place.  He  is  incapable,  at  this 
critical  moment,  of  taking  the  direction  of  affairs.  I 
will  persuade  him  to  make  you  his  representative,  and 


■''m< 


208  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

then,  if  our  undertaking  meets  with  success,  his  place 
will  naturally  fall  to  you.  I  believe  you  would  be  the 
right  man  for  the  place." 

The  camiacam's  looks  brightened.  He  took  the 
other's  hand. 

"  Murza-Khan  should  in  that  case  be  the  absolute 
lord  of  his  domain,  and  the  government  would  make 
no  claims  of  any  sort  upon  him.     You  understand  ?  " 

"  Good !  To-morrow  I  will  send  out  a  summons  to 
my  people." 


'2'5^^«»5^>'W5  X^'i^^l^^T' 


CHAPTER    XVII. 

FOR   friendship's   SAKE. 

Cherif-Pasha  was  seriously  ill.  His  sudden  in- 
disposition was  the  result  of  a  stroke  of  apoplexy — not 
a  severe  one,  indeed,  but  severe  enough  to  make  him 
for  the  time  incapable  of  mental  or  physical  exertion. 
He  regained  consciousness  the  next  day,  but  perfect 
rest  and  quiet  were  necessary  for  him.  He  therefore 
made  no  objections  when  Murza-Khan  proposed  to 
him  that  Redjeb-Bey  be  intrusted  with  the  temporary 
management  of  affairs.  As  he  expressed  the  wish  to 
remain  as  Murza-Khan's  guest  for  the  present,  the  lat- 
ter hospitably  gave  up  his  house  to  him  and  withdrew 
to  a  small  farm  near  by,  where  he  could  arrange  his 
plans  with  his  people  undisturbed.  These  had  so  far 
fallen  in  with  his  wishes  as  to  declare  themselves  will- 
ing to  keep  a  sharp  lookout,  and  prevent  any  incur- 
sion of  the  rebels  into  the  district.  But  his  proposal 
that  in  case  of  war  with  the  neighboring  state  they 
should  take  up  arms  found  no  response. 

Hassan  Bey  was  directed  to  return  with  his  troops  to 
Batoum,  the  pasha's  representative  considering  that  the 
safety  of  the  city  was  the  first  thing  to  be  considered. 

Since  Elisba  had  sent  his  message  to  Cherif-Pasha 
nothing  had  been  heard  of  him.    Redjeb  Bey  took  every 


^■^;7:cr':\,^\'*.*^,^«iir-j5',->f^-5s?j^rw'^^ 


210  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

means  of  obtaining  information  in  regard  to  his  moTe- 
ments,  but  could  learn  nothing  reliable.  The  senti- 
ment throughout  the  district  was  so  inimical  to  the 
government  that  no  native  could  be  found  to  offer  his 
services  to  obtain  the  required  information.  Some 
would  indeed  go,  under  pressure  of  threats,  but  after 
spending  a  few  days  with  friends  in  the  mountains, 
they  would  return  and  say  there  was  nothing  to  be 
seen  or  heard  of  Elisba ;  or  else  they  would  really  find 
his  stopping  place  in  order  to  inform  him  of  what  the 
Government  was  doing,  and  then  would  make  entirely 
false  reports  to  Hassan  Bey  regarding  the  rebel  leader. 

In  this  way,  too,  Djambek  learned  that  Murza-Khan 
had  taken  sides  with  the  government,  and  that  Cherif- 
Pasha  with  his  whole  household  was  enjoying  his  hos- 
pitality. This  news  caused  him  much  anxiety.  If  so 
influential  a  man  as  Murza-Khan  joined  that  side,  it 
was  to  be  feared  that  many  of  his  countrymen  would 
abandon  the  good  cause,  and  once  more  willingly  as- 
sume the  yoke  of  oppression. 

He  thought  of  the  future,  and  often  asked  himself 
what  he  was  to  do  under  these  circumstances.  To 
remain  for  years  among  the  hills  and  act  the  avenger 
when  one  of  their  countrymen  had  been  outraged  was 
not  what  he  wished  for — especially  if  it  should  come 
about  that  the  oppressed  did  not  wish  for  help.  He 
often  talked  with  Elisba,  but  he,  too,  could  say  but 
little  as  to  future  plans. 

"  For  the  present,"  he  said,  "  I  shall  remain  here 
and  await  events.  Should  the  present  quiet  become 
permanent,  I  might  buy  a  small  estate  and  settle  down 
until  there  was  again  something  for  me  to  do.  But 
you  may  be  sure  they  will  not  grant  our  people  a  long 


-T^psw-if^fB^g^SffSHSfSSpi^^if^f^^irji^^FS-^^^  ""'™~'«?™5!'^P?a 


FOR  FRIENDSHIFS  SAKE.  211 

term  of  peace.  As  soon  as  they  feel  themselves 
stronger,  they  will  begin  again.  But  as  for  you,  D jam- 
bek,  I  again  advise  you  to  go  to  Tiflis.  If  it  really 
comes  to  blows  between  the  two  countiies,  your  pres- 
ence there  will  be  of  great  service  to  us." 

After  considering  the  matter  a  few  days,  Djambek 
concluded  that  it  would  be  best  for  him  to  follow  his 
friend's  advice,  and  he  determined  to  start  the  follow- 
ing morning. 

Elisba  accompanied  him  a  part,  of  the  way  and 
Djambek  arranged  with  him  to  forward  any  messages 
that  might  come  for  him.  Should  any  letters  come 
from  Ahmed,  Elisba  was  to  open  and  read  them,  as 
they  might  concern  his  safety  and  interests  as  much 
as  Djambek's. 

Arrived  in  Aschalzich,  Djambek  at  once  sought 
out  his  old  school  friend,  the  young  Russian  official. 
The  latter  showed  himself  much  pleased  to  see  his 
friend,  and  assured  him  that  his  chief,  the  general, 
was  greatly  interested  in  the  efforts  of  the  Adjarians 
to  throw  off  their  yoke  of  oppression.  This  greatly 
pleased  Djambek,  and  he  gladly  accepted  the  invita- 
tion of  his  friend  Kapanidze  to  be  presented  to  his 
chief.  He  found  General  Tasafioff  a  cultivated,  agree- 
able gentleman  who  knew  at  once  how  to  adopt  a 
tone  pleasing  to  the  ears  of  an  Adjarian. 

"  We  are  here  in  a  position  to  see  easily  what  is 
going  on  in  the  neighboring  state,"  said  the  general, 
in  the  course  of  conversation.  "  I  know  from  my  own 
observation  that  the  government  there  is  not  such  as 
can  satisfy  a  people  who  have  brilliant  traditions 
behind  them.  Were  you  but  savages,  you  might,  per- 
haps, rest  satisfied  with  existing  conditions ;  but  being 


212  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

a  people  who  hundreds  of  years  ago  stood  on  a 
higher  plan  than  your  present  rulers  now  occupy,  I 
can  well  understand  the  dissatisfaction  that  you  must 
feel.  I  know  that  those  of  you  who  dare  avow  your 
sentiments  are  but  few  comparatively,  but  in  their 
hearts  the  great  majority  of  all  the  people  are  with 
you.  And  your  opportunity  will  come.  With  our 
neighbor  sick  in  body  and  spirit  we  shall  soon  have 
vigorous  dealing,  and  then  your  opportunity  will  stand 
at  the  door." 

"  I  think  so,  too,"  said  Kapanidze.  "  I  spoke  to 
my  friend  some  time  ago  about  it,  but  he  appeared 
afraid,  lest  he  should  be  thought  playing  the  part  of  a 
traitor  to  his  country." 

"  I  have  grown  old  in  honor,"  replied  the  general, 
"  and  would  be  the  last  to  advise  an  equivocal  action. 
Did  Djambek  come  to  me  to-day  as  a  bom  Mussulman 
and  the  leader  of  a  rebel  troop,  I  would  at  once  arrest 
him  and  deliver  him  to  the  Turkish  authorities.  But 
that  is  not  the  case.  He  belongs  to  that  same  race 
who  once  before  called  on  us  for  aid  to  free  them  from 
the  cruelty  of  these  same  oppressors,  and  I  find  it  quite 
natural  and  indeed  patriotic  if  he  now  feels  a  desire 
to  free  his  country  from  its  cruel  masters." 

"  Yes,"  said  Kapanidze,  "  it  is  my  honest  opinion 
that  Djambek  belongs  to  us  in  a  double  sense.  His 
name  alone  is  sufficient  to  show  his  Georgian  origin, 
and  besides  that  he  received  his  education  in  Tiflis 
and  Odessa.  What  do  you  think  of  it  yourself,  Djam- 
bek?   Am  I  not  right?" 

"  I  believe  you  are.  I  tried  honorably  for  a  long 
time  to  .bear  patiently  the  injustice  that  weighed  upon 
us  heavier  and  heavier  from  day  to  day.     I  was  on 


\c:«?"a^wiypflf»^*' -vneBjic^" 


FOR  FRIENDSHIP'S  SAKE.  213 

friendly  terms  then  with  the  Vali-Pasha,  and  I  nsed 
every  means  to  convince  him  that  his  subordinates 
were  pillaging  the  land  under  disguise  of  their  official 
duties^  but  all  was  in  vain." 

"  Even  the  abduction  of  his  niece ! "  added  the 
general  with  a  quizzical  smile. 

"  You  know  of  that,  too  ?  " 

"  I  told  you  that  we  keep  a  sharp  lookout  on  what 
is  going  on  across  the  boundary." 

"  But  you  must  not  think  that  I  took  part  against 
the  pasha  because  I  failed  in  my  attempt  to  withdraw 
my  bride  from  his  controL  Perhaps  that  was  the 
turning-point — I  will  not  deny  that — but  it  was  not  the 
ground  on  which  I  declared  myself  an  enemy  of  the 
pasha.  I  was  inspired  above  aU  by  my  love  of  my 
country,  and  by  the  recollection  of  its  glorious  past,  "to 
bid  defiance  to  a  man  who  deemed  himself  above  other 
mortals." 

"  I  believe  you,"  replied  the  general.  "  I  did  not 
mean  to  insinuate  otherwise.  And  I  could  tell  you  a 
story,  too,  of  what  occurred  many  years  ago.  My  wife 
was  a  Georgian,  and  in  Georgia  it  is  still  quite  in  order 
for  a  young  man  to  carry  off  his  bride." 

He  paused  a  moment  and  seemed  lost  in  reverie. 
Then  he  continued : 

"  No,  my  young  friend,  I  only  meant  to  say  that  I 
could  very  easily  imagine  myself  in  your  place  at  your 
years,  and  I  know  from  experience  how  grand  it  is  to 
fly  through  the  night  on  a  swift  steed  with  your  love 
in  your  arms !  " 

"  Yes,  if  you  reach  your  goal,"  said  Djambek  de- 
jectedly. 

"  True  !  But  one  must  try  until  he  succeeds.    But 


:r*  ?^;?T>'?*"^'''--  "^""^V^g?' 


214  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

to  return  to  our  subject.  Let  us  come  to  the  point 
Will  you  join  us  ?  " 

Djambek  hesitated  but  for  a  second,  then  he  said 
firmly  : 

"I  will!" 

"  And  do  you  think  your  friends  will  approve  the 
step  ?  " 

"  I  know  they  will.  It  was  Elisba  who  persuaded 
me  to  go  to  Tiflis  and  see  if  any  aid  for  our  cause 
was  to  be  got  there." 

"  Honestly  spoken !  and  you  shall  have  an  honest 
answer.  There  is  much  interest  taken  in  your  cause, 
and  it  will  be  put  in  action  sooner  than  you  think  for. 
More  I  am  not  at  liberty  to  say,  but  you  will  learn  the 
particulars  at  Tiflis.  But  of  this  I  can  assure  you,  I 
welcome  you  most  gladly  as  a  comrade." 

"  And  I  can  say  to  you,"  returned  Djambek  ear- 
nestly, "  that  my  highest  wish  would  be  to  fight  at 
your  side  for  the  liberation  of  my  land." 

"  That  wish  may  be  fulfilled,  for  if  at  the  proper 
time  you  can  organize  a  corps  of  volunteers  you  will 
be  of  great  service  to  us  here  on  the  frontier.  But  you 
will  learn  of  all  that  at  Tiflis.  I  will  add  this  good 
news  to  my  report  and  you  shall  carry  it  yourself  to 
Tiflis." 

The  second  day  Djambek  continued  his  journey  to 
the  Georgian  capital. 

Three  days  had  passed  since  the  parting  of  the 
friends,  when  a  messenger  brought  a  letter  from  Ah- 
med. Thinking  that  it  perhaps  might  concern  him- 
self as  well  as  Djambek,  he  opened  it.  The  letter  was 
from  Daria,  and  read  thus  : 


i???t?*!«5Wl^r'[reBppB^W5B^'f«5^8pHS=?5?l^r*i^^ 


FOE  FRIENDSHIP'S  SAKE.  215 

"Fbiend  Djambek:  If  Thamar  is  not  soon  re- 
leased from  her  desperate  position  a  misfortune  will 
happen.  She  is  here  in  the  power  of  a  wretch  who  uses 
the  weakness  of  her  uncle  to  persecute  her  with  his  ad- 
dresses. Hassan  Bey  had  at  least  the  decency  to  re- 
main away  when  she  gave  him  to  understand  that  his 
attentions  were  distasteful  to  her,  but  not  so  this 
Murza-Khan.  He  met  her  one  evening  while  she  was 
walking  alone,  took  hold  of  her,  and  told  her  he  knew 
that  her  illness  was  only  pretense.  She  was  so  sur- 
prised and  agitated  at  his  manner  that  she  forgot  her 
role  and  half  admitted  what  he  said,  hoping  he 
might  be  induced  to  take  her  part. 

"  He  said  she  was  quite  right  not  to  accept  Hassan 
Bey,  and  she  was  feeling  very  hopeful  of  his  assistance 
when  he  suddenly  told  her  that  he  loved  her  and  that 
he  would  persuade  her  uncle  to  favor  him. 

"Notwithstanding  the  aversion  that  she  then 
showed  toward  him,  he  has  followed  her  persistently 
since,  and  I  fear  has  some  evil  project  in  view.  What 
shall  we  do  ?  How  save  her  from  these  merciless  men  ? 
We  plan  all  kinds  of  adventurous  projects,  but  when 
the  moment  comes  find  we  can  not  carry  them  out. 
Once  we  were  already  in  a  boat  out  at  sea  when  a 
storm  came  up,  and  had  not  a  vessel  come  to  our  aid 
(one  of  his  vessels,  too !)  we  should  have  perished.  She 
is  near  despair,  and  I  know  nothing  to  do  but  to 
send  you  word  and  perhaps  you  can  help  us. 

"  She  has  no  suspicion  that  I  have  written  you.  I 
hare  not  told  her  lest  her  anxiety  should  increase  her 
troubles. 

"  There  is  the  possibility  of  a  rescue.  North  of  here 
I  have  found  a  good  place,  a  little  cove  where  a  boat 


216  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

might  be  hidden.    Ko  one  ever  goes  near  there.    Will 
you  make  the  attempt? 

"  I  count  on  your  getting  this  in  four  days.  You 
will  need  two  days  to  reach  here.  After  that  time  I 
will  go  with  her  to  the  place  every  day.  Perhaps  for- 
tune will  favor  us. 

"  I  warn  you  and  your  friend  against  Murza-Khan. 
Next  week  the  people  he  has  called  together  here  are 
to  go  with  Hassan  Bey  to  hunt  you  out  if  possible  and 
attack  you.  He  has  sworn  your  destruction.  Be  on 
your  guard. 

Daria." 

In  a  moment  Elisba  had  made  his  decision.  He 
would  attempt  a  rescue  without  letting  D jambek  know 
anything  about  it.  This  was  an  opportunity  to  pay 
for  all  his  friend  had  done  for  him.  If  he  succeeded — 
well ;  if  he  failed,  he  would  only  lose  a  life  which 
seemed  to  him  almost  valueless. 

"  You  come  from  Ahmed,  do  you  not?"  he  asked 
the  man  who  had  knelt  down  by  the  fire  and  was 
warming  his  hands. 

"  Yes,  from  Ahmed." 

"  It  is  well.  Let  them  give  you  something  to  eat. 
I  shall  start  this  evening.  You  may  go  with  me,  if 
you  wish." 

Elisba  started  at  dusk  In  spite  of  the  increased 
danger  in  taking  that  route,  he  determined  to  go  by 
the  river  as  time  was  of  greatest  importance.  He 
took  with  him  only  Yordane,  a  servant,  and  the  man 
who  had  brought  the  letter.  "  The  fewer  the  better," 
he  had  said  to  his  trusted  companion,  after  informing 
him  of  his  plans,  and  the  other  agreed  with  him.    Four 


d 


'•-"■;' ?V^J?'  ^''■*='  ""''ij^"-"     y<r^*>A'^^"*-V^7  ^  '    \--    •  ■^7  r-.'-^rr^-' ■''•  :''■'-■     -  -  ■     '■     ^--^'Jff^jF^^ 


FOR  FRIENDSHIPS  SAKE.  217 

persons  in  a  boat  were  not  likely  to  attract  special  at- 
tention. 

They  arrived  safely  in  the  neighborhood  of  Batoum 
where  they  remained  in  hiding  until  evening.  Then 
they  made  a  detour  and  reached  the  harbor,  where 
Elisba  soon  found  a  fisherman  who  gave  him  the  use 
of  his  boat. 

•  ••••••• 

It  was  nearly  noon  the  next  day  when  they  came  in 
sight  of  Kardjeti-T2dche.  Elisba  turned  the  rudder 
that  they  might  not  go  too  near  the  shore,  where  they 
could  see  a  number  of  Murza-Khan's  boats  at  anchor. 
Then,  when  the  castle  was  hidden  behind  a  bend  of  the 
shore,  they  turned  their  boat  toward  the  land  that  they 
might  not  pass  by  the  cove  of  which  Daria  had  spoken. 

Finally  Elisba  concluded  that  they  had  found  the 
place,  and  he  told  his  companions  to  take  in  the  sail. 
"  That  must  be  it,"  he  said,  pointing  to  a  little  cove 
bordered  by  trees  and  thick  bushes.  They  pulled  in 
to  the  miniature  harbor  and  landed  at  a  point  compar- 
atively free  from  bushes,  where  they  could  see  some 
distance  landward.  Elisba  and  Yordane  sprang  ashore 
while  the  servant  hid  the  boat  under  some  overhang- 
ing trees.    At  that  moment  they  heard  voices. 

"  They  are  coming,"  whispered  Yordane. 

But  it  was  not  those  they  were  looking  for,  but 
some  children  carrying  fishing  nets. 

Elisba  and  his  friend  had  no  time  to  conceal  them- 
selves, and  as  the  children  saw  the  two  armed  men, 
they  turned  and  fled  with  loud  cries. 

"  That  is  unfortunate,"  said  Elisba.  "  The  little 
rascals  will  alarm  the  whole  neighborhood  and  spoil 
our  plan.    What  shall  we  do  ?  " 


-i-*-\J'~:'^f-y--!?-;P^'y>X^^ 


218  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

"  Let  us  get  away  as  soon  as  possible  and  find  a 
place  to  conceal  ourselves  and  wait." 

"  That  is  easily  said,  but  Murza-Khan  has  a  whole 
fleet  at  his  command,  and  could  soon  search  every  pik 
of  the  coast." 

"  Then  we  had  better  escape  as  we  can.  We  have 
failed,  and  it  would  be  mere  foolishness  to  expose  our- 
selves to  being  captured,  which  amounts  to  the  same  as 
being  killed.  You  owe  it  to  your  people  to  avoid  that 
danger." 

"  There  is  nothing  left  us  but  flight,  I  am  sorry  to 
say.  I  do  it  with  a  heavy  heart,  but — "  he  stopped 
suddenly  and  pointed  landward — "  I  see  two  women — 
If  it  should  be  they ! " 

"  Come !  "  said  Yordane,  taking  him  by  the  arm. 
"  I  hear  a  noise  in  the  bushes.  The  ground  burns 
under  our  feet !     There  is  danger ! " 

He  had  dragged  Elisba  but  a  step  or  two  with  him, 
when  a  number  of  armed  men  sprang  out  of  the 
thicket  on  their  left. 

"  Halt,  traitor !  robber !  murderer ! "  cried  the  one 
in  advance,  springing  on  Elisba,  who  in  a  flash  had 
drawn  his  pistol.  "  Surrender,  or  you  shall  pay  for 
your  rashness  with  your  life  ! " 

Elisba  flred,  and  Murza-Khan  fell  headlong.  Elisba 
and  Yordane  took  advantage  of  the  confusion  which 
followed  to  spring  to  their  boat.  But  a  volley  followed 
them,  and  they  fell  into  the  water  dead. 

"  What  can  that  mean  ?  "  asked  Thamar  in  terror, 
as,  following  her  friend,  she  saw  from  a  distance  the 
tragic  scene.  "  Are  those  people  fighting  in  earnest, 
or  is  it  only  sport  ?  " 

Daria,  pale  as  death,  took  her  friend  by  the  arm 


-^^^^y^^^^yr^-  '■ ' 


FOR  FRIENDSHIP'S  SAKE.  219 

and  pulled  her  away.  "  Fly !  for  heaven's  sake,  fly !    It 
is  a  shameful  murder ! "  she  exclaimed. 

She  could  not  say  more.  She  drew  her  trembling, 
sobbing  companion  with  her  by  force.  She  thought, 
"  My  friend's  lover  is  killed,  and  I  am  the  cause  of  his 
death!" 


15 


,,^-^"j.T.^~Tj^.-.--.vr*'»-^_»'3:7  —  ~/*--. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

WAR  AND   CHIVALRY. 

Djambek  became  very  anxious  on  not  hearing 
from  his  friend  for  a  long  time.  With  increasing  im- 
patience, he  waited  from  one  day  to  another,  hoping 
for  news.  At  length  he  determined  to  send  his  serv- 
ant to  make  inquiries,  and  then  waited  in  feverish  im- 
patience for  his  return. 

Finally  the  man  came  back  and  reported  that 
Elisba  had  left  his  house  a  few  days  after  Djambek's 
departure  without  saying  where  he  was  going.  Since 
then  nothing  had  been  heard  from  him,  and  his  peo- 
ple were  in  the  greatest  anxiety. 

Had  there  not  been  important  business  which  de- 
tained him,  Djambek  would  have  immediately  started 
to  see  what  had  become  of  Elisba ;  but  just  at  that 
time  he  could  not  leave  Tiflis  without  hazarding  the 
success  of  the  whole  undertaking.  General  TasafiofE 
had  said  truly  that  his  government  had  a  great  inter- 
est in  the  fate  of  Adjaria.  Djambek  received  proof 
of  this  in  Tiflis,  where  he  was  very  cordially  received, 
and  was  invited  by  officials  in  high  quarters  to  lay  be- 
fore them  the  fullest  details  in  order  that  a  decision 
might  be  quickly  arrived  at.  He  had  accordingly  had 
confidential  interviews  with  a  number  of  influential 


WAR  AND  CHIVALRY.  221 

persons,  and  was  now  waiting  for  the  plans  to  be  ap- 
proved by  the  Czar,  in  order  that  binding  stipulations 
might  be  entered  into  on  both  sides.  While  waiting 
news  from  St.  Petersburg  he  must  remain  in  Tiflis. 
Should  he  leave  now  he  would  be  looked  on  as  merely 
an  irresponsible  adventurer,  and  the  whole  plan  might 
fall  to  the  ground. 

A  few  days  went  by  thus,  when  one  morning  he 
received  a  summons  from  the  commander-in-chief. 
There  he  was  told  that  important  news  had  come  from 
St.  Petersburg.  War  was  declared  and  the  authorities 
in  Tiflis  were  commanded  to  at  once  enter  into  nego- 
tiations with  the  two  leaders  of  the  Adjarians. 

As  the  commander-in-chief  had  full  authority  to 
act,  there  was  no  reason  for  further  delay,  and  the 
terms  of  a  compact  were  at  once  agreed  upon,  by  which 
Elisba  and  Djambek  were  at  once  to  call  together 
their  forces  and  place  themselves  under  the  orders  of 
the  Governor  of  Aschalzich. 

There  was  now  nothing  further  to  do  here,  and 
Djambek  made  his  arrangements  for  starting  the  next 
morning. 

On  his  return  journey  he  stopped  at  Aschalzich  to 
see  General  TasafiofE  and  get  his  advice  as  to  the  for- 
mation of  the  volunteer  corps.  He  himself  was  very 
far  from  claiming  the  right  to  be  commander  of  the 
corps.  He  would  leave  that  to  his  friend,  who  had 
made  it  the  object  of  his  life  to  free  his  land  from  the 
Turkish  yoke.  Did  he  find  taking  arms  unavoidable, 
he  would  join  the  ranks  of  his  countrymen,  though  he 
felt  no  great  desire  to  take  part  in  the  killing  of  those 
who  must  suffer  for  the  deeds  of  their  rulers. 

Djambek  informed  the  general  that  he  considered 


222  DJAMBEK,  THE  GE.ORGIAN. 

himself  as  Elisba's  embassador  only,  and  thai  as  soon 
as  his  friend  returned  he  should  send  him  to  make 
the  further  arrangements  with  the  governor. 

After  his  interview  with  General  Tasafioff,  Djam- 
bek  continued  his  journey,  hoping  that  he  would  find 
Elisba  already  returned  to  his  post. 

But  in  this  he  was  disappointed.  The  people  were 
in  great  excitement,  and  feared  that  Elisba  had  fallen 
into  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  Where  or  why  he  had 
gone  no  one  could  tell.  They  only  knew  that  one  day 
a  messenger  had  brought  him  a  letter,  and  that  he  left 
the  same  evening  in  company  with  Yordaneandaservant. 

In  accordance  with  the  promise  he  had  given  the 
general,  Djambek  selected  a  company  of  men  and 
sent  them  over  the  frontier  to  announce  to  all  their 
partisans  that  war  had  been  declared,  and  that  all  were 
to  meet  at  a  certain  place  to  begin  in  earnest  the  work 
of  freeing  the  land. 

The  news  spread  rapidly,  and  everywhere  was  re- 
ceived with  enthusiasm.  While  before  no  one  had  ever 
thought  of  a  united  action  against  their  oppressors,  now 
every  one  wondered  that  they  had  not  long  since  put  an 
end  by  force  to  the  cruelties  of  these  vampires.  It  was 
as  if  the  scales  had  fallen  from  the  eyes  of  all  at  once, 
and  the  authorities  found  themselves  helpless  before 
the  sudden  uprising.  But  against  which  foe  should 
they  proceed,  the  enemy  within  or  the  enemy  without? 

It  was  too  late  now  to  seek  to  pacify  the  country 
with  soft  words  and  mild  measures.  The  people  asked 
no  favors  now,  and  those  who  but  a  little  while  before 
would  have  bowed  in  the  dust  before  an  angry  word 
of  the  caimacam  now  shook  their  fists  in  his  face  mut- 
tering curses  and  vows  of  vengeance.    The  few  who 


•^5^- 


WAR  AND  CHIVALRY.  223 

still  took  sides  with  Stamboul  kept  a  discreet  silence, 
and  many  packed  up  their  valuables  to  remove  them 
to  some  place  where  the  earth  did  not  tremble  and 
rumble  so  threateningly  as  here. 

In  Batoum.  there  was  so  great  a  panic  that  they 
paid  but  little  attention  to  affairs  in  this  comparatively 
distant  region. 

All  the  troops  that  could  be  spared  in  Armenia 
were  forwarded  to  the  port  to  garrison  it  and  the  im- 
portant fortress  of  Tzichis-tzeri. 

Every  day  brought  new  companies  of  volunteers  to 
Djambek's  camp,  and  the  place  was  soon  filled  with  an 
imposing  corps  of  well-armed  and  well-mounted  men. 
Djambek  was  fully  occupied  in  getting  this  little  army 
into  some  sort  of  order  and  discipline,  a  task  for  which 
he  had  little  taste,  but  executed  it  to  the  best  of  his 
ability. 

A  pressing  inquiry  had  once  come  from  Aschalzich 
as  to  whether  Elisba  had  not  yet  returned,  as  the  order 
to  march  was  expected  every  day,  and  on  his  sending 
an  answer  in  the  negative,  Djambek  had  received  a 
message  from  General  TasafiofE,  saying  that  he  should  ex- 
pect him  to  take  command  of  the  corps  in  case  Elisba 
failed  to  return  before  the  expected  orders  were  received. 

A  few  days  afterward-  Djambek  was  awakened 
from  sleep  by  his  servant. 

"  Bad  news,  sir ! "  cried  Mamukia  in  excited  tones. 
"  Giurgi,  the  man  who  went  with  Elisba  and  Yordane, 
has  returned." 

"  Has  a  misfortune  happened  ?  "  asked  Djambek  of 
Giurgi,  who  just  then  entered. 

"  Yes,"  he  replied,  and  told  in  a  few  words  the  re- 
sults of  the  ill-fated  expedition.    When  he  saw  that 


:^4^^r^m^!^^  ■         tI 


224  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

he  could  be  of  no  help  to  his  companions,  he  used  the 
opportunity  while  Murza-Khan's  people  were  busy  with 
their  wounded  leader  to  escape.  After  undergoing 
numerous  perils  and  hardships  he  had  at  last  reached 
Batoum  half  dead  and  found  an  asylum  with  Ahmed. 
When  he  had  sufficiently  recovered  he  started  for  the 
mountains,  and  after  a  long  and  wearisome  journey 
had  arrived  at  the  camp. 

Djambek  was  dumb  with  grief  and  excitement. 
To  serve  him,  his  friend  had  risked  and  had  sacrificed 
his  life !  Something  extraordinary  must  have  hap- 
pened to  have  led  Elisba  to  so  suddenly  leave  all  else 
and  go  to  the  rescue  of  Thamar.  Had  he  perhaps  re- 
ceived a  message  which  was  so  pressing  that  nothing 
remained  but  immediate  action  ? 

Djambek  sat  sunk  in  troubled  thought  trying  to 
unravel  the  tangled  threads,  but  his  thoughts  were  so 
confused  that  he  hardly  knew  whether  he  was  awake 
or  dreaming.  Was  it  not  all  perhaps  the  hideous 
creation  of  a  dream  ?  He  opened  wide  his  eyes  and 
stared  at  the  two  servants. 

"  Ahmed  gave  me  a  message  for  you,"  said  Giurgi 
in  a  troubled  tone,  noticing  the  other's  grief. 

That  brought  Djambek  again  to  himself.  "  Quick ! 
give  it  to  me,"  he  exclaimed  and  took  the  letter  with 
trembling  hands,  while  Mamukia  set  a  pine  knot  in 
flames  to  give  him  light. 

Ahmed's  letter  explained  matters.  On  hearing 
Giurgi's  story  he  saw  at  once  that  on  receiving  Daria's 
letter  which  he  had  forwarded  Elisba  had  gone  in 
place  of  his  absent  friend  to  Thamar's  rescue. 

"And  now  I  will  act  for  you,"  wrote  the  brave 
muezzin ;  "  I  am,  indeed,  but  a  messenger  of  peace, 


^»^"S^;3»«^'WW¥>,WP>!. 


WAR  AND  CHIVALRY.  225 

and  you  can  not  expect  me  to  appear  with  weapons 
in  my  hands  before  the  villains  who  hold  your  bride  a 
captive ;  but  it  will  be  a  comfort  to  you  and  to  her  to 
have  me  near  her.  My  plan  is  made.  In  the  midst 
of  the  panic  which  reigns  in  the  city  my  services  are 
not  needed.  Who  thinks  of  the  muezzin's  prayers 
now !  I  will  therefore  get  into  the  enemy's  camp  un- 
der some  disguise.  Perhaps  I  can  obtain  employment 
of  some  kind  there.  If  I  do,  you  may  depend  on  my 
watching  over  her  faithfully.  Furthermore,  the  man 
who  brings  you  this  says  that  Murza-Khan  is  severely 
wounded.  If  so,  the  poor  girl  may  be  allowed  some 
peace  from  the  importunities  of  the  man  who  has  so 
basely  sought  t^'  tear  her  from  you.  Take  courage, 
my  friend !  Do  nothing  rashly.  Tame  thy  impa- 
tience, lest  an  evil  befall  thee.  I  adjure  thee  to  be 
careful  in  the  name  of  her  who  trembles  more  for  thy 
life  than  for  her  own." 

Djambek  sighed  deeply  and  rose  from  the  couch. 

"  It  is  well,"  he  said  listlessly.  "  Leave  me  now." 
When  the  others  had  gone  he  gave  way  to  his  grief. 
In  thought  he  went  to  the  spot  where  his  friend  had 
shed  his  heart's  blood  for  him,  and  his  eyes  overflowed 
with  tears  as  he  thought  that  just  now,  just  when  his 
fondest  hopes  were  about  to  be  realized,  when  he  was 
called  to  bring  to  his  country  its  longed-for  freedom, 
he  lay  silent  and  powerless  forever. 

And  Thamar !  What  oppressions  must  she  suffer 
under  in  the  power  of  this  shameless  enemy!  The 
thought  aroused  him.  Now  to  action !  Not  rashly, 
not  alone,  now,  but  with  the  power  that  stood  at  his 
command,  with  comrades  eager  and  impatient  for  the 
hour  when  they  might  spring  upon  their  oppressors. 


-t^'f^a^^r 


226  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

Yes,  he  would  take  as  a  legacy  the  object  his  dead 
friend  ever  had  had  before  his  eyes.  They  would  rush 
forth  like  an  angry  torrent  against  an  enemy  who 
from  each  one  of  them  had  forced  tears  of  blood. 
And  he  also  shall  suffer,  he  whose  life-object  it  has 
been  to  deny  himself  no  pleasure,  even  though  it  be 
bought  with  the  ruin  of  his  nearest  friend  I  He  was 
ready.  While  heretofore  he  had  always  hoped  that 
Elisba  would  return  and  relieve  him  from  the  weight 
of  this  undertaking,  now  he  burned  with  fierce  impa- 
tience for  the  moment  when  he  might  cry, "  Up,  com- 
rades !  the  hour  has  struck ! " 

No  time  was  to  be  lost  in  informing  the  Russian 
authorities  of  what  had  happened.  He  hurried  out  of 
the  house  and  sprang  upon  his  horse  to  go  himself  as 
the  bearer  of  the  tidings  that  his  friend  was  dead,  and 
to  announce  himself  as  his  representative.  On  the 
way  the  fever  which  had  seized  him  moderated,  and 
he  could  think  of  the  future  more  calmly.  In  his 
excited  fantasy,  he  had  seen  himself  with  his  troops 
dashing  through  the  land,  ever  pressing  toward  one 
goal — ^the  place  where  Thamar  was  held  captive.  But 
how  would  it  be  should  he  receive  orders  to  go  in  a 
wholly  different  direction  ?  It  was  true  that  an  expe- 
dition against  Tzichis-tzeri,  which  lay  not  far  from 
Kardjeti-Tziche,  was  of  great  importance,  but  at  the 
same  time  it  would  doubtless  be  considered  of  first  im- 
portance to  make  secure  against  an  attack  from  the 
south.  It  was  therefore  more  than  probable  that  his 
corps  would  receive  orders  to  hold  some  point  in  that 
direction.  These  thoughts  troubled  him  all  the  way, 
and  it  was  with  an  anxious  heart  that  he  entered  the 
door  of  the  commandant's  headquarters. 


■-'>?"-^^''^'r¥=S-i^?^-i  3^--="'"5^  '  '"  ■      "'         '  -  "^'^^  '^Pf^ 


WAR  AND  CHIVALRY.  227 

But  this  time  his  fondest  hopes  were  to  be  realized. 
The  general,  after  hearing  his  news  and  expressing  his 
sorrow  and  sympathy,  informed  him  that  the  Russian 
troops  in  Armenia  had  won  a  brilliant  victory,  and  that 
he  was  all  ready  to  march  to  join  them  in  an  attack  on 
the  fortress. 

"  You  will  go  with  us.  We  need  all  the  strength 
we  can  get,"  he  said  to  Djambek.  He  paused  a  mo- 
ment and  examined  the  map,  and  then  continued: 
"  We  shall  have  to  take  measures  to  guard  against  an 
attack  from  the  south,  and  right  in  that  direction  lies 
a  place  in  which  you  are  doubtless  interested.  You 
guess,  of  course,  that  I  mean  Kardjeti-Tziche." 

Djambek  started  in  pleased  surprise,  and  could  only 
stammer  a  confused  answer. 

The  general  smiled.  "  This  is  hardly  the  time  to 
think  of  adventures  which  smack  of  the  days  of  chiv- 
alry," he  said,  "  but  if  they  can  be  had  with  a  double 
advantage,  why  not  undertake  them  ?  Between  Murza- 
Khan's  castle  and  Tzichis-tzeri  the  enemy  has  thrown 
up  earthworks.  If  I  should  send  you  to  take  Kardjeti- 
Tziche,  and  place  there  a  small  garrison,  we  should  have 
these  earthworks  between  us,  and  after  you  have  res- 
cued the — enchanted  princess — ^you  might  give  your 
cardiac  emotions  a  little  rest  and  go  and  capture  them. 
How  would  that  suit  you  ? 

"  Good ! "  he  continued,  cutting  short  D  jambek's 
expressions  of  gratitude ;  "  let  it  be  so  then.  As  soon 
as  you  receive  word  from  me,  march  directly  over  the 
mountains  toward  Kardjeti-Tziche.  But  before  de- 
scending into  the  valley  wait  for  orders  from  me.  I 
wish  you  much  success,  and  send  my  best  compliments 
to  your  bride!'* 


■^i_'V?wr*p;:'B5j5jr 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

AT   KARDJETI-TZICHE. 

Djambek  and  his  men  marched  rapidly  over  the 
mountain.  They  wished  to  show  their  allies  that  if 
they  were  not  brought  up  to  war  they  could  at  least 
'  obey  orders  promptly.  They  met  with  no  obstacles, 
except  the  difficulties  of  the  road,  and  these  were  over- 
come in  good  spirits.  In  the  few  villages  they  passed 
through  much  sympathy  was  shown  them,  and  all 
seemed  to  rejoice  that  the  existing  order  of  things  was 
about  to  be  changed. 

The  march  over  the  Peranga  Mountains  was  finally 
concluded,  and  they  arrived  upon  the  plain  which 
joined  the  last  range  of  hills  between  them  and  the  sea. 
Here  they  rested  on  the  banks  of  the  Tchuruk-Su,  to 
take  a  few  hours  of  needed  rest. 

Djambek  could  scarcely  control  his  impatience. 
There,  beyond  those  hills,  lay  the  place  which  drew 
him  mightily,  the  place  where  his  bride  lay  captive, 
little  thinking  that  her  rescuer  was  so  near. 

A  few  hours  more  and  the  longed-for  moment  would 
come !  But  how  endlessly  long  seemed  these  hours ! 
They  must  wait  here  until  they  received  word  from 
the  main  body,  then  they  were  to  proceed  to  Kard  jeti- 
Tziche,  and  hold  the  place  until  re-enforcements  came 


AT  KARDJETI-TZICHE.  229 

from  the  northeast,  when  they  would  proceed  to  the 
reduction  of  the  earthworks  of  which  the  general  had 
spoken. 

Djambek's  chief  anxiety  was  lest  his  presence 
here  should  be  known  too  soon.  Kardjeti-Tziche 
was  not  more  than  five  hours  distant,  and  he  knew 
that  Murza-Khan  had  connections  with  all  the  sur- 
rounding country.  Djambek  had  indeed  chosen  a 
retired  place  for  their  camp,  but  an  accident  might 
bring  some  one  there,  and  thus  greatly  interfere  with 
the  success  of  his  plans.  He  took  what  measures  he 
could  to  guard  against  this  danger  by  posting  senti- 
nels and  by  strict  orders  to  his  men  not  to  leave  the 
camp,  and  to  arrest  any  one  who  might  approach. 

The  next  morning  the  pickets  brought  in  a  peasant 
they  had  taken.  The  man  admitted  that  he  came 
from  Kardjeti-Tziche  and  had  been  directed  to  find 
out  whether  the  enemy  was  near,  the  news  of  the  ad- 
vance having  already  reached  Murza-Khan.  After  a 
good  deal  of  pressing,  the  man  was  induced  to  give 
some  particulars.  Nearly  all  the  able-bodied  men  of 
Kardjeti-Tziche  had  been  pressed  into  the  service,  to  , 

defend  the  fortress  of  Tzichi-tzeri.  Murza-Khan  being 
therefore  left  without  any  guard,  had  made  ready  a 
number  of  vessels,  and  was  prepared  at  the  first  sign 
of  the  enemy's  approach  to  go  aboard  with  aU  his 
household  and  sail  to  Trebizonde  for  safety.  The 
man  further  said  that  Cherif- Pasha  a  few  days  before 
had  died  from  a  second  stroke  of  paralysis.  Djambek 
tried  to  get  some  information  from  him  in  regard  to 
Thamar,  but  he  persisted  in  saying  that  he  did  not 
know  that  there  were  any  women  there.  ■ 

Having  got  from  him  all  the  information  they 


•m 


230  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

could,  Djambek  ordered  that  he  be  given  some  refresh- 
ment, telling  him,  however,  that  he  would  be  held  as 
a  prisoner. 

This  matter  was  hardly  ended  when  some  of  the 
sentinels  again  appeared,  bringing  two  horsemen  with 
them.  They  wore  the  Russian  uniform.  At  lastl 
Djambek  hurried  to  them,  and  to  his  great  joy  recog- 
nized one  of  them  as  Kapanidze. 

"  Here  I  am ! "  he  cried  as  Djambek  approached. 
"  I  see  you  have  lost  no  time.  We  had  some  doubt, 
whether  you  could  accomplish  the  march  in  the  time 
the  general  gave  you." 

"  We  did  it  in  less  time,"  returned  Djambek,  shak- 
ing his  friend's  hand.  "We  have  been  here  since 
yesterday." 

"Indeed!  You  must  have  had  wings.  So  much 
the  better.  We  can  make  the  attack  all  the  sooner. 
Three  battalions  are  camped  directly  north  of  here, 
ready  to  march  as  soon  as  you  do."  He  looked  at  his 
watch.  "  If  I  start  at  once  I  can  reach  them  again  by 
twelve  o'clock.  So  at  midday  you  will  start,  and  the 
faster  you  go  the  better.  You  go  directly  toward 
Kardjeti-Tziche,  while  we  have  to  bend  a  little  to  the 
north  to  cut  off  any  re-enforcements  they  may  send 
from  the  earthworks.  Murza-Khan's  house  is  not 
garrisoned,  as  we  hear.  In  that  case  you  can  join  us 
with  the  larger  part  of  your  force.  If  you  leave  two 
hundred  men  there,  it  will  be  sufficient.  In  case, 
which  is  not  likely,  that  you  find  the  place  fortified, 
you  must  storm  it.  We  must,  under  no  circumstances 
leave  any  of  the  enemy  in  our  rear." 

"  I  understand." 

"Good.     Now  a  glass  of  wine — I  am  dying  of 


.*i^ 


1   t 


AT  KARDJETI-TZICHE.  231 

thirst — and  then  farewell  until  I  see  you  again  yon- 
der!" 

He  hastily  drank  off  the  wine  and  sprang  away  at 
a  gallop. 

Djambek  gave  orders  to  break  camp,  and  in  an 
hour  they  were  ready  to  march. 

As  soon  as  the  sun  reached  the  meridian  they  were 
in  motion.  Their  pace  was  a  rapid  one,  but  not  too 
fast,  as  they  intended  to  make  the  last  part  at  a  double- 
quick,  to  give  the  enemy  no  time  to  escape. 

After  three  hours  of  uninterrupted  march,  they 
halted  by  a  little  stream  for  a  short  rest.  Then  they 
went  on  again,  until  they  came  to  the  last  wooded 
hills,  which  gently  descended  to  the  sea.  Here  they 
again  halted  and  formed  a  wide  half-circle,  Djambek 
placing  himself  at  the  extremity  of  the  left  wing. 
Then  the  word  was  given,  and  the  line  moved  forward 
with  a  rush. 

They  were  within  five  hundred  paces  of  the  house 
when  Djambek  saw  a  boat  suddenly  put  out  toward 
the  open  sea.  If  they  should  escape  him  at  last !  he 
thought,  and  putting  spurs  to  his  horse,  he  dashed 
forward  followed  by  the  others.  A  number  of  boats 
lay  upon  the  beach.  Djambek  sprang  from  his  horse. 
Calling  on  some  to  push  off  the  boats,  he  directed  the 
others  to  occupy  the  house,  which  was  undefended. 
In  a  few  moments  his  orders  were  carried  out.  As 
soon  as  he  saw  one  of  the  boats  ready,  he  sprang  into  it. 

"  Row  for  your  lives  ! "  he  cried.  "  We  must  over- 
take that  boat  there." 

There  was  not  a  breath  of  wind.  The  sail  flapped 
idly  on  the  mast.  This  was  favorable  for  Djambek,.  as 
now  the  strength  of  the  rowers  would  decide  the  victory. 


232  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

The  men  laid  to  the  oars  with  all  their  might,  and 
the  boat  shot  forward,  while  a  couple  of  others  put  off 
from  shore  to  join  them  in  the  pursuit. 

The  space  between  them  rapidly  lessened,  and  soon 
those  in  the  cutter  could  be  distinguished.  Djambek 
recognized  Murza-Khan,  who  was  excitedly  urging  on 
his  rowers.  The  cutter  was  a  small,  slender  boat, 
chosen  doubtless  for  its  speed. 

They  approached  a  couple  of  lengths  nearer,  and 
now  Djambek  could  distinguish  two  female  figures, 
who  leaned  over  the  side,  extending  their  arms  as  if 
imploring  help.  He  tore  his  white  turban  from  his 
head  and  waved  it  as  a  signal  of  encouragement  to 
the  girls. 

The  other  boats  which  had  followed  Djambek  now 
approached  and  divided  to  the  right  and  left  so  as  to 
form  a  half  circle  around  the  fugitives. 

"  There  is  a  large  vessel  yonder,"  suddenly  cried 
one  of  the  men,  and  looking  in  the  direction  indicated 
Djambek  saw  a  little  cloud  of  smoke  on  the  horizon. 
That  was  unfortunate !  Doubtless  there  was  a  Turk- 
ish man-of-war  there  who  might  yet  give  them  a  stiff 
piece  of  work  to  do. 

"  Forward !  forward ! "  cried  Djambek  to  the  oars- 
men. "  We  must  at  all  hazards  capture  that  boat  be- 
fore the  stronger  enemy  comes  down  on  us." 

The  men  laid  to  the  oars  with  increased  vigor,  and 
in  a  few  minutes  they  were  alongside  the  other.  Then, 
to  his  horror,  Djambek  saw  Murza-Khan  throw  his  oar 
into  the  sea,  draw  his  dagger,  and  spring  toward  Thamar. 

"  A  foot  nearer,  and  she  will  be  a  corpse ! "  he 
yelled,  seizing  the  girl  in  an  iron  grasp.  "  Dare  ap- 
proach, dog,  and  I  will  throw  you  a  lifeless  booty ! " 


<-*]»  f  ■eT'.?!"^r"^^-*^ 


AT  KARDJETI-TZICHE.  233 

Djambek  was  dumb  with  horror.  Mechanically  he 
cried  to  his  men  to  stop  rowing,  for  he  knew  the  sav- 
age was  in  earnest.  At  that  instant,  one  of  Murza- 
Khan's  men  sprang  up  and  with  a  mighty  leap  over 
the  other  oarsmen,  fell  upon  him,  tore  the  dagger  from 
his  grasp,  and  hurled  him  to  the  bottom  of  the  boat. 

"  Quick,  men  !  quick  ! "  cried  Djambek,  and  in  a 
moment  he  had  sprung  into  the  other  boat  and  was 
holding  Murza-Khan  down  with  all  his  weight  and 
strength.  His  dagger  gleamed  in  the  air — ^but  a  com- 
manding voice  bade  him  hold. 

"  He  is  my  prisoner,"  said  a  well-known  voice  in 
his  ear,  and  now  for  the  first  time  he  knew  who  it  was 
who  had  brought  help  in  so  urgent  need.  "  Ahmed  ! " 
he  cried  in  astonishment,  "  you,  the  hero  ?  " 

"  Silence ! "  said  the  muezzin  casting  down  his  eyes 
as  if  ashamed.  "  Do  not  remind  me  that  I  have  for- 
gotten the  r6U  of  a  man  of  peace." 

During  this  scene  the  other  oarsmen  had  remained 
perfectly  quiet.  What  interest  had  they  in  the  affairs 
of  the  man  to  whom  they  were  strangers  and  for 
whom  they  had  been  forced  to  work?  Besides,  the 
others  were  the  stronger  force,  and  resistance  would 
be  useless. 

After  Murza-Khan,  foaming  with  rage,  had  been 
securely  bound,  Djambek  gave  orders  to  turn  toward 
the  shore.  It  was  high  time,  for  the  war-ship  was  fast 
approaching. 

Elated  with  their  victory,  the  men  bent  to  their 
oars  with  renewed  vigor,  and  the  little  fleet  swept 
toward  the  shore,  and  soon  was  sheltered  behind  the 
Jutting  reefs. 

Djambek,  however,  was  not  free  from  anxiety.    If 


234  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

the  commander  of  the  war-ship  should  suspect  that  a 
body  of  the  enemy  was  quartered  here,  a  fight  must 
follow,  and  it  could  not  be  hoped  that  the  walls  of 
Kardjeti-Tziche  would  long  hold  out  before  the  heavy 
guns. 

His  first  care,  after  placing  the  women  in  safety, 
was  to  confine  the  prisoners  in  the  underground  rooms, 
and  then  he  ordered  his  men  to  conceal  themselves 
behind  the  walls.  If  it  appeared  that  everything  was 
quiet  it  was  to  be  hoped  that  the  vessel  would  not  go 
out  of  its  way  to  make  an  attack. 

Having  completed  these  arrangements,  Djambek 
was  about  hurrying  to  Thamar,  when  he  was  met  by 
some  of  his  men  driving  a  prisoner  before  them. 

"He  was  hiding  in  the  stable,"  said  the  leader 
of  the  patrol.  "  We  found  him  buried  under  the 
straw." 

Djambek  uttered  an  exclamation  of  surprise,  for 
he  recognized  in  the  strange-looking  figure — ^his  hair, 
beard,  and  clothes  covered  with  straw — his  old  ac- 
quaintance the  worthy  Totia. 

"  It  is  Cherif- Pasha's  spy,"  he  cried,  looking  at  the 
prisoner  with  contempt. 

Totia  seemed  to  take  the  insulting  words  as  a  jest. 

"  Not  at  all,"  he  said,  simpering.  "  I  was  not  here 
as  a  spy,  but  as  the  friend  of  your  bride's  poor  uncle, 
and  as — her  protector." 

"  A  curious  way  of  protecting  her,  burying  yourself 
in  the  straw,"  said  Djambek  sarcastically.  "  Put  him 
with  the  other  prisoners." 

"But  consider,  my  good  Djambek,  you  find  me 
here  as  a  private  person.    I  am  not  in  official  service." 

"That  will  be  determined  later,"  said  Djambek 


AT  KARDJETI-TZICHE.  235 

coolly.  "  For  the  present,  at  least,  you  are  a  prisoner 
of  war." 

"  Do  not  forget  that  your  bride's  friend  is  inter- 
ested in  me,  and—" 

"  Silence !  "  interrupted  Djambek  angrily.  "  Dana 
despises  you  as  Thamar  and  I  do.  Your  role  is  played 
out,  and  the  Eussian  commander  shall  decide  what  is 
to  be  done  with  you." 

At  these  words  Totia  stepped  closer  to  Djambek 
and  said  in  a  low  tone : 

"  I  have  special  reasons  for  not  wishing  to  come 
into  closer  relations  with  your  allies.  Let  me  go.  You 
shall  not  lose  by  it.  Fortune  has  favored  me'  in  late 
years,  and  I  have  accumulated  a  very  fair  property, 
and  I  would  not  mind  parting  with  say  one  hundred 
thousand  piasters  as  a  ransom  if  you — "  Djambek 
gave  him  a  push  which  sent  him  reeling  backward. 

"  Place  him  in  a  secure  place  by  himself  "  he  said 
to  his  men.  "  He  is  a  dangerous  man,  and  he  must  not 
be  allowed  to  have  any  communication  with  the  others. 
Let  him  be  well  guarded.  I  shall  hold  you  responsible 
for  him." 

Totia  had  scarcely  been  led  away,  when  Mamukia 
came  running  up. 

"  The  steamer  is  at  anchor,"  he  said  excitedly, "  and 
a  boat  is  just  coming  ashore." 

This  was  serious.  A  struggle  seemed  inevitable,  and 
one  in  which  all  the  advantage  would  be  with  the  at- 
tacking party.  The  walls  could  not  long  endure  a 
bombardment,  and  then  if  they  escaped  from  the  ruins 
the  garrison  must  be  exposed  to  the  full  fire  of  the  en- 
emy on  the  open  shore.  It  would  be  almost  the  same 
as  total  destruction  for  the  corps. 

16 


236  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

Suddenly  an  idea  flashed  into  Djambek's  mind,  and 
he  hurried  to  the  court,  where  there  was  an  entrance 
toward  the  shore.  "  Let  no  one  stir  or  even  show  him- 
self," he  cried  to  his  men.  "  I  will  receive  the  visitors 
alone." 

He  hurried  to  the  landing  place  just  as  the  boat 
reached  the  shore. 

An  oflficer  landed  and  approached  Djambek. 

"  Hosh  gelden  !  Welcome ! "  said  the  latter,  salut- 
ing the  officer  in  thfi  Turkish  manner.  "  How  can  I 
serve  you  ?  " 

"  Are  you  the  master  of  this  place  ?  "  asked  the 
officer. 

"  Since  to-day — ^yes,  as  we  have  just  buried  my 
poor  nncle." 

"Indeed!" 

"  Yes.  Did  you  not  see  our  boats  just  now  out  in 
the  bay?" 

"  You  buried  him  there  ?  " 

Djambek  sighed.  "  We  were  obliged  to  do  so,  as  he 
died  of  a  malignant  disease,"  he  said  mournfully. 

"  What  do  you  say  ?  You  do  not  mean  small- 
pox?" 

"  Worse  still ;  we  fear  it  was  the — ^plague."  The 
officer  sprang  hastily  into  his  boat  and  commanded  his 
men  to  push  ofE  instantly. 

"  Have  you  heard  anything  of  the  enemy,"  he  asked 
as  the  boat  receeded  from  shore. 

"  Nothing.  Everything  is  quiet  here.  A  few  days 
ago  two  sick  people  came  from  the  north  where  they 
said  things  were  looking  badly.  I  think  my  relative 
must  have  taken  the  disease  from  them.  They  died 
the  day  before  yesterday,  and  my  uncle  the  next  day." 


■'W^'' 


rT^^JS>%r:-{^^f:^^;'i^'.iP' 


AT  KARDJETI-TZICHE.  237 

The  oflScer  seemed  to  have  found  out  more  than  he 
liked.  He  waved  his  hand  in  a  parting  salutation,  and 
his  boat  rapidly  receded  from  shore. 

Djambek  rubbed  his  hands  in  satisfaction  and 
hurried  back  to  the  castle.  From  the  veranda  he  could 
see  the  boat  reach  the  war-vessel,  and  a  few  minutes 
later  anchor  was  weighed  and  the  formidabable  enemy 
proceeded  on  her  course. 

Saved !  At  last  he  might  press  his  beloved  to  his 
heart !  He  had  but  a  little  time,  for,  according  to  his 
orders,  he  must  take  up  the  march  again  and  proceed 
to  the  north. 

With  a  beating  heart  he  opened  the  door  of  the 
room  where  the  two  girls  had  been  left.  They  stood 
at  the  window,  and  were  anxiously  watching  the  war- 
vessel  which  was  just  getting  under  way. 

"  The  danger  is  happily  past,"  he  cried  Joyously,  and 
at  the  sound  of  his  voice  Thamar  turned  from  the 
window  to  throw  herself  upon  his  breast.  *'  Have  I 
you  again ! "  he  exclaimed  with  rapture.  "  We  will 
never  part  now — but,'*  he  added  sorrowfully,  "  I  for- 
get ;  we  must  again  be  separated.** 

"  No.  You  must  not  leave  me,**  said  Thamar  im- 
ploringly. "  You  must  not  go  away.  Or  if  you  do, 
take  me  with  you.*' 

"  Into  battle  ?  **  he  said  with  a  sad  smile. 

"  You  are  going  into  battle?'*  she  exclaimed. 

"  That  was  the  condition  under  which  I  could  res- 
cue you  from  that  villian.  Unfortunately,  my  treasure, 
we  can  be  together  but  a  few  moments." 

She  clung  to  him,  sobbing.  "  And  if  something 
should  happen  to  you,  if  you  should  be — **  her  voice 
failed  in  a  flood  of  tears. 


ir^^^S^P^ffi^r?^ 


238  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 


"  Do  not  make  the  parting  harder  for  him,"  said 
Daria,  laying  her  hand  upon  her  friend  *8  shoulder. 
"  Hope  for  the  best.  Until  now  fortune  has  always 
been  favorable ;  why  should  it  now  forsake  you  ?  " 

Gradually  the  young  girl  became  quieter. 

"  I  see  that  I  must  submit.  I  will  try  to  be  brave. 
I  will  hope — hope  with  my  whole  heart  that  you  will 
be  preserved  to  me,  dearest.  And  if  Fate  wills  it  that 
the  heaviest  of  misfortunes  strikes  me,  then  I  will 
follow  you,  my  beloved.     I  swear  it ! " 

"  Hush,  Thamar.  Do  not  talk  so.  All  will  yet 
end  well.     I  believe  with  confidence  in  our  star." 

She  was  about  to  reply  when  Mamukia's  head  ap- 
peared in  the  door. 

"  Murza-Khan  wishes  very  much  to  speak  with 
you,"  he  said. 

D jambek's  first  impulse  was  to  refuse  the  prisoner's 
request,  but  on  second  thought  he  concluded  to  listen 
to  him. 

"  I  will  come,"  he  said  curtly.  "  Farewell,  my  be- 
loved. "We  shall  soon  meet  again.  I  must  give  this 
rascal  a  few  minutes,  and  then  we  must  start." 

Thamar  turned  pale  as  she  saw  that  the  moment 
for  parting  had  come.  She  flung  her  arms  about  his 
neck  and  held  him  close,  passionately,  to  her  soft  bos- 
om, as  if  she  could  not  let  him  go. 

"  Oh,  Djambek,"  she  whispered  with  a  trembling 
voice,  "you  can  not  know  how  hard  this  parting 
is!" 

"  Courage,  my  own !  Think  of  our  next  meeting, 
of  our  coming  happiness.  You  shall  hear  from  me 
as  often  as  I  can  send  a  message.  That  will  strengthen 
you  to  bear  this  last  separation." 


-«  US'    r 


AT  KARDJETI-TZICHE.  239 

He  drew  her  close  and  covered  her  face  with  kisses. 
Then  he  pressed  Daria's  hand  and  hastily  left  the 
room. 

Murza-Khan  had  been  placed  in  one  of  the  lowest 
underground  rooms  which  he  had  himself  made  se- 
cure with  iron  bars  and  heavy  doors  as  a  safe  place  for 
his  treasures. 

Djambek  entered  and  curtly  asked  him  what  he 
wished. 

"  I  want  to  know  how  long  I  am  to  be  kept  a  pris- 
oner in  my  own  house  ?  "  said  the  other,  whose  hands 
were  still  bound  behind  him. 

"  Until  my  superiors  decide  what  is  to  be  done  with 
you." 

"  And  what  right  have  your  superiors  to  dispose  of 
me  ?  Am  I  their  subject  ?  or  am  I  in  the  position  of 
an  enemy  in  arms  ?  " 

*'  Is  that  what  you  wished  to  talk  with  me  about  ? 
If  so,  it  was  needless  to  disturb  me." 

"  Good !  Let  us  come  to  business,  then.  What 
ransom  do  you  demand  ?  " 

Djambek  smiled  scornfully. 

"  Do  you  take  me  for  one  of  your  Batoum  friends  ? 
Were  your  hands  not  bound  I  would  strike  you  in  the 
face  for  the  insult." 

Murza-Khan  bit  his  lips,  and  at  first  made  no  re- 
ply.    Then  he  said : 

"You  can  not  deny,  Djambek,  but  that  you  are 
taking  a  personal  vengeance  upon  me,  and  that — " 

"  And  have  I  not  a  hundredfold  right  to  do  so  ?  " 
interrupted  the  other  angrily.  "  Have  you  not  acted 
toward  me  as  a  villain  ?  Would  not  another  man  have 
plunged  a  dagger  to  your  faithless,  traitorous  heart  ?  " 


240  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

"  Had  not  the  other  interposed  you  would  have 
done  so." 

"  The  loss  would  not  have  been  a  great  one." 

"  That  may  be.  But  as  he  prevented  it,  we  need 
not  discuss  the  matter.  Hear  me,  Djambek.  I  ad- 
mit that  I  have  deeply  wronged  you.  I  admit  your 
right  to  take  vengeance  upon  me.  I  only  ask  that  you 
will  take  your  vengeance  now.  What  do  you  wish  ? 
Bo  you  condemn  me  to  a  heavy  ransom  ?  I  am  ready 
to  pay  it.  Do  you  wish  satisfaction  at  the  point  of  the 
sword  ?  Then,  let  us  finish  on  the  spot.  But  what  do 
you  gain  by  holding  me  here  like  a  thief  ?  " 

Again  Djambek  laughed  scornfully. 

"  A  ransom !  You  judge  others  by  yourself.  Gold ! 
and  always  gold !  And  you  will  condescend  to  fight  a 
duel  with  me !  That  would,  indeed,  come  cheaper  for 
you,  if  fortune  favored  you.  Know  this.  I  do  not 
want  your  gold  ;  and  as  for  a  duel,  after  your  shameful 
betrayal  of  one  you  called  your  friend,  I  despise  you 
too  deeply  to  think  you  worthy  of  crossing  sabers  with 
me.  Should  the  fortune  of  war  bring  this  land  under 
the  rule  of  my  allies  you  wiU  become  their  subject,  and 
will  perhaps  be  able  to  give  them  information  on  cer- 
tain points.  It  is  said  that  your  father  made  himself 
rich  at  the  cost  of  those  whose  sons  are  now  under 
Kussia's  protection.  If  that  be  true  you  are  the  son 
of  a  thief,  and  you  can  well  understand  that  I  intend 
holding  you  until  the  courts  can  decide  about  you. 
You  shall  make  recompense  to  those  whom  your  father 
robbed.  Now,  you  know  what  is  likely  to  happen  to 
you." 

Djambek  slowly  walked  to  the  door. 

"  You  think  you  are  a  great  war  hero,  boy ! "  snarled 


AT  KARDJETI-TZICHE.  .  241 

Murza-Khan,  grinding  his  teeth.  "  You  play  the  part 
of  a  yictorious  conqueror.  A  fine  victory,  forsooth ! 
capturing  a  fortress  that  was  not  defended !  But  my 
day  will  come,  too,  when  I  shall  laugh  as  I  strike  the 
traitor  to  his  country  in  the  face,  the  traitor  who  has 
sold  himself ! " 

"  What  do  you  understand  of  such  things  ? "  said 
D jambek  scornfully.  "  You  never  took  arms  for  your 
country  as  long  as  you  could  fill  your  purse  in  peace. 
You  were  always  to  be  bought,  and  think  others  are 
like  yourself.  But  why  lose  words  ?  I  have  more  im- 
portant things  to  do  than  argue  with  you  on  things 
that  are  beyond  your  comprehension." 

He  left  the  room  while  Murza-Khan  yelled  curses 
after  him. 

Djambek  proceeded  at  once  to  give  orders  for  the 
detachment  which  was  to  be  left  as  a  garrison  for  the 
place.  It  was  a  great  comfort  to  him  to  know  that 
Ahmed  would  be  there  as  a  protector  of  the  two  girls, 
though  there  was  really  but  little  danger  for  them,  as 
in  case  the  Turks  captured  the  place,  Ahmed  would 
represent  himself  and  his  charges  as  prisoners- 


-      .  ■  •  I     ■  ; 


CHAPTER  XX. 

WAE  AND   PEACE. 

The  storming  of  the  fortress  of  Tzichis-tzeri  was 
one  of  the  hardest  fought  battles  of  the  war.  The 
Turks  defended  the  ramparts  with  the  courage  of 
lions,  and  again  and  again  were  the  Russians  driven 
back,  leaving  thousands  of  their  dead  upon  the  field. 

Djambek's  corps  and  the  battalion  with  it  finally 
succeeded  in  gaining  a  foot-hold  within  the  redoubt. 
But  not  much  was  gained  with  that.  Upon  the  fort- 
ress itself  still  waved  the  red  flag  with  its  star  and 
crescent,  and  it  looked  as  if  there  must  yet  be  many  a 
hard  struggle  before  the  standard  would  be  lowered  in 
token  of  defeat.  But  that  the  fortress  must  be  taken 
was  the  fixed  determination  of  the  besiegers ;  it  was  as 
if  each  soldier  had  sworn  it.  And  it  fell  finally,  but 
only  after  a  terrible  sacrifice. 

Djambek  had  been  in  a  very  hail  of  bullets,  but  not 
one  had  touched  him.  He  had  plunged  into  the  hot- 
test of  the  fight  with  the  beloved  name  upon  his  lips, 
and  that  name  seemed  a  talisman  before  which  bullets 
fell  harmlessly. 

"  Bravo,  Djambek ! "  cried  the  general,  as  he  saw 
him  doing  a  brave  deed,  "that  shall  bring  you  the 
cross  I " 


jr 


WAR  AND  PEACE.  243 

The  cross  I  Was  it  for  a  medal — ^a  piece  of  metal 
to  hang  npon  his  breast — that  he  fought  ?  No.  He  was 
forced  into  the  struggle  contrary  to  his  real  desires. 
He  had  given  his  word.  He  had  become  convinced 
that  only  by  a  violent  overturning  could  better  things 
come  to  his  country.  And  so  he  fought  not  for  honors, 
but  for  his  country's  and  his  word's  sake.  The  fierce 
frenzy  of  battle,  the  thirst  for  destroying  which  others 
felt,  he  had  no  part  in.  He  did  not  rush  forward  with 
his  troops  blindly  to  kill,  but  he  sought  and  often  found 
opportunities  for  preventing  acts  of  cruelty. 

This  was  the  first,  and  it  should  be  the  last  time 
that  he  drew  sword  from  sheath  to  take  part  in 
such  a  slaughter  of  his  fellow-men.  That  he  swore 
solemnly  to  himself.  No  cross,  no  medal,  no  promo- 
tion should  ever  tempt  him  to  again  leave  the  path  of 
peace.  To  him  these  groans  and  cries,  these  fierce 
passions,  this  bath  of  blood,  were  an  utter  horror ;  and 
after  it  was  over  he  felt  a  shuddering  grief  at  sight 
of  the  death-strewed  battle-field  which  so  many  poets 
have  sung  in  exultant  strains.  These  piles  of  quivering 
limbs,  these  red-black  pools  of  blood,  these  dead  faces 
distorted  with  their  last  agony,  filled  him  with  loath- 
ing, and  he  felt  a  sort  of  bitterness  against  those  who 
had  made  the  scene  of  destruction  a  possibility.  He 
felt  no  glow  of  pride  when  the  commander-in-chief 
summoned  him  before  him  and  complimented  him  on 
his  bravery.  He  felt  rather  as  if  he  were  a  butcher's 
apprentice  praised  by  1^8  master  for  having  slaughtered 
an  animal  with  special  skill. 

He  hurried  away  as  soon  as  he  could,  and  threw  a 
few  hasty  lines  on  paper,  which  he  gave  his  servant  to 
deliver. 


244  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

"  The  cruel  slaughter  is  over,  my  love,  and  I  am 
unharmed.  But  I  scarce  dare  think  of  thee  in  a  place 
so  filled  with  death  agonies  and  cries  of  pain.  I  must 
away  from  here  as  soon  as  possible.  Some  one  has 
already  written  a  song  about  the  '  glorious  battle,'  but 
I  can  only  wonder  that  rhymes  lend  themselves  to  such 
cruelties !  I  must  flee  far  into  the  forest,  far  as  may 
be  from  this  discord  of  triumphal  songs  and  dying 
groans.  There  I  will  rest  and  dream  of  thee,  my 
love." 

He  strode  rapidly  through  the  darkness  of  the 
night  to  carry  out  his  intention  of  getting  as  far  away 
as  his  duty  would  permit  from  the  scenes  of  horror 
that  surrounded  him.  He  finally  reached  a  spot  where 
only  now  and  then  could  be  heard  an  echo  from  the 
camp,  and  there  he  threw  himself  on  the  ground  and 
closed  his  eyes.  But  the  longed-for  dream  pictures 
would  not  come  to  him.  In  vain  he  sought  to  shut  out 
the  horrid  visions  of  the  battle-field.  He  spoke  aloud 
to  his  loved  one  as  if  the  sound  of  her  voice  might 
come  to  him  in  reply.  In  vain.  Cries  of  pain  and 
groans  of  agony  were  the  only  answer. 

Djambek  awoke  at  the  first  glimmer  of  dawn 
from  his  feverish  slumber.  He  sprang  up  and  hurried 
again  to  the  place  from  which  he  had  fled  at  the  ap- 
proach of  night.  Duty  called  him  as  a  leader  to  be 
with  his  followers. 

The  sun  had  scarcely  risen  when  General  TasafiofE 
came  riding  by. 

"  Good  morning,  comrade  !  "  he  cried  in  good 
spirits.  "Up  so  early?  I  thought  I  should  surprise 
you  asleep."    He  dismounted  and  took  Djambek  by  the 


WAR  AND  PEACE.  245 

arm.  "  I  know  what  troubles  you,"  he  said.  "  It  can 
be  helped.  The  army  begins  the  march  to-day.  If  I 
might  offer  your  bride  a  seat  in  a  rickety  wagon  which 
will  take  her  to  Kutayis  in  a  couple  of  days,  I  should 
esteem  it  a  favor." 

"I  accept  your  kindness  with  heartiest  thanks," 
replied  Djambek. 

"  Good,  then.  The  matter  is  finished.  My  wife, 
too,  has  gone  to  Kutayis.  In  Aschalzich  it  was  too 
lonesome  and  not  entirely  safe  for  her,  there  are  so 
many  of  these  cursed  Laz  robbers  about  now.  Go 
and  saddle  your  horse  and  bring  the  young  ladies  here. 
My  wife  will  be  delighted  to  offer  them  her  hospitality 
until  you  are  ready  to  set  up  your  own  household 
gods." 

Djambek  thanked  his  good  friend  heartily  and 
hurried  away. 

It  was  after  sun-down  when  the  wagon  train  started. 
It  was  not  a  joyous  journey,  for  a  part  of  the  wounded 
were  taken  along,  too. 

The  larger  body  of  troops  remained  in  the  captured 
fortress  and  in  its  near  neighborhood,  as  it  was  ex- 
pected that  the  Turks  would  make  an  attack  from  the 
sea.  Up  to  this  time  the  hostile  fleet  had  held  itself 
in  reserve,  but  it  was  more  than  probable  that  Hobart- 
Pasha  would  yet  have  a  word  to  say  before  allowing 
the  Kussians  the  full  victory.  Consequently,  the 
troops  were  kept  busy  day  and  night,  throwing  up 
earthworks  and  barricades  to  strengthen  their  posi- 
tion. Djambek's  men  worked  vigorously  and  gave  a 
good  example  to  their  allies. 

"Fine   people,  these  Adjarians,"  said  the  com- 


246  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

mander  -  in  -  chief,  well-pleased,  as  he  inspected  the 
works.  "  By  the  way,"  he  added,  turning  to  Djambek, 
"you  have  some  prisoners,  I  believe,  at  Kardjeti- 
Tziche." 

"  Yes,  Excellency,"  he  replied.  "  I  was  just  going 
to  ask  you  to  decide  what  should  be  done  with  them." 

"  Kapanidze  has  been  speaking  to  me  about  them 
to-day,"  interposed  General  Tasafioff.  "  I  understand 
that  the  owner  of  the  castle  is  among  them,  one 
Murza-Khan.  Kapanidze  thinks  that  the  father  of 
the  man  was  from  Daghestan,  where  he  acquired  great 
riches  through  robbery." 

"  So  they  say,"  said  Djambek.  "  Kapanidze  must 
know,  however,  better  than  I  do,  as  he  is  of  Daghestan 
descent." 

"  It  is  well ;  we  will  examine  into  the  matter,"  said 
the  commander. 

"  There  is  another  prisoner,  who  lately  stood  very 
high  in  Oherif-Pasha's  confidence.  His  name  is  Totia 
Nitscheladze." 

"  What  name  did  you  say  ?  "  asked  General  Tasafioff. 

«  Totia  Mtscheladze." 

"I  know  the  name,  but  can't  remember  at  the  mo- 
ment where  I  have  heard  it." 

"  It  is  said  that  he  was  formerly  an  officer  in  the 
Eussian  service." 

"  Indeed !     We  will  see  about  it." 

"  The  simplest  way  is  for  us  to  go  there  now. 
There  may  be  some  among  the  prisoners  who  ought 
not  longer  to  be  deprived  of  their  liberty,"  said  the 
chief. 

Accordingly  they  set  out  for  Kardjeti-Tziche  ac- 
companied by  a  large  escort. 


■.^,^,^?«^     V-     J^    ^ 


WAR  AND  PEACE.  247 

On  arriving  there,  Murza-Khan  was  first  brought 
before  them,  and  Kapanidze  related  all  the  particulars 
which  he  knew  concerning  him. 

The  commander-in-chief  shook  his  head  doubt- 
fully. 

"  In  many  cases  it  seems  just  that  the  sins  of  the 
fathers  should  be  atoned  for  by  the  children,"  he  said. 
"  From  what  you  have  told  us,  Kapanidze,  it  appears 
that  the  father  of  this  man  was  a  common  robber, 
but  the  man  himself  is  a  Turkish  subject,  and — " 

"  If  I  may  be  allowed  a  remark,"  said  Djambek, 
interrupting  him,  "  it  is  beyond  doubt  that  this  dis- 
trict will  be  ceded  to  Russia,  which  would  change  the 
circumstances." 

"  Very  true ;  I  had  not  thought  of  that,"  cried  the 
chief,  while  Murza-Khan  gave  his  enemy  a  look  of 
hatred.  "  That  being  the  case,  we  are  bound  to  keep 
the  man  a  prisoner  until  the  question  is  decided." 

"  As  I  have  no  intention  of  ever  becoming  a  Rus- 
sian subject,"  exclaimed  Murza-Khan,  his  voice  trem- 
bling with  rage,  "  the  question  can  as  well  be  decided 
now.  It  is  a  gross  abuse  of  power  to  deprive  me  of 
my  freedom,  and  I  will  hold  you  responsible  for  it." 

"  I  can  manage  to  bear  the  responsibility,  I  think," 
was  the  cool  answer.  "  In  case  this  piece  of  country 
falls  to  us,  those  whom  your  father  robbed  will  unques- 
tionably have  the  right  to  institute  process  against  you 
for  the  recovery  of  their  property." 

"  As  I  am  certain  I  should  have  no  chance  for  jus- 
tice in  a  trial  with  your  proteges  I  am  ready  to  make 
a  proposition  on  the  spot,"  said  Murza-Khan,  trying 
to  speak  calmly. 

"  And  what  is  your  proposition  ?  " 


248  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

"  To  transfer  my  possessions  here  to  the  Bnssian 
Government  for  a  proper  recompense.  There  are 
many  witnesses  who  can  show  that  I  have  enlarged 
and  improved  the  property.  I  deny  emphatically  that 
my  father  did  any  worse  than  any  of  the  large  land- 
holders of  the  time  in  Daghestan.  The  stronger  sim- 
ply took  possession,  and  that  was  the  end  of  it.  With- 
out doubt  the  ancestors  of  this  victim,"  he  continued 
with  a  mocking  glance  at  Kapanidze,  "would  have 
done  the  same,  if  they  had  had  the  strength  and  the. 
courage.  But  we  need  not  dispute  about  that.  I 
repeat,  the  Russian  Government  may  have  my  prop- 
erty for  a  fixed  sum,  and  can  then  do  with  it  as  it 
pleases.  But  for  my  person  and  my  movable  property 
I  demand  the  fullest  freedom,  and  in  that  no  one  can 
dispute  my  right." 

General  Tasafioff  whispered  a  few  words  to  the 
commander,  and  the  latter  nodded  in  assent  and  then 
said,  turning  to  Murza-Khan : 

"  Your  '  right '  might  be  easily  disputed,  but  as  you 
are  not  a  prisoner  of  war,  and  are  not  personally  ac- 
cused of  any  crime,  I  will  waive  that.  I  will  make 
you  a  proposition.  Give  me  security  that  you  wiU  ap- 
pear when  wanted,  and  I  will  grant  you  your  freedom 
— of  course  on  condition  that  you  leave  the  country." 

Murza-Khan  shook  his  head. 

"  It  is  rather  for  me  to  demand  security  that  my 
property  be  not  injured.  But  I  will  not  insist  on  that 
if  I  am  at  once  set  at  liberty." 

The  commander  consulted  for  a  few  moments  with 
the  others,  and  then  said : 

"Very  well.  We  ^ant  your  request.  You  are 
free." 


WAR  AND  PEACE.  249 

"  But  you  will  give  me  a  statement  in  writing  about 
buying  my  property  ?  " 

"  The  real  tradesman's  spirit,"  whispered  Djambek 
to  the  general. 

"  No,"  said  the  latter  in  reply  to  Murza-Khan, "  for 
I  am  unable  to  make  any  promises  on  behalf  of  those 
who  have  charge  of  such  matters.  The  tribunals  must 
first  decide  whether  anything  is  to  be  paid,  and  if  so, 
how  much  ?  " 

"  You  do  not  seem  to  understand  that  my  estates 
are  of  great  value." 

"  That  I  do  not  need  to  know.  The  Judges  will 
ascertain  it  at  the  proper  time,  and  you  may  be  sure 
no  injustice  will  be  done  you." 

"  You  are  all  witnesses  of  this  promise,"  said  Murza- 
Khan  looking  at  the  others.  "  We  will  see  how  much 
a  Russian's  word  is  worth." 

"  It  is  worth  a  good  deal,  you  may  be  sure,"  said 
the  commander  quietly. 

"One  thing  more,"  said  Murza-Khan.  "My 
boatmen  are  held  here  as  prisoners.  They  are  all 
Greeks." 

"  In  that  case  they  are  of  course  free,  and  you  can 
leave  with  them." 

Murza-Khan  bowed  and  turned  to  go,  but  stopped 
suddenly  and  said  to  Djambek,  with  deep  hatred  in  his 
tone  :  "  I  have  a  word  for  you !  Never  cross  my  path 
again,  or  it  will  be  at  the  peril  of  your  life." 

"  You  miserable  coward,"  exclaimed  Djambek,  his 
eyes  flashing.    "  Do  you  think  I  fear  you  ?  " 

He  took  a  step  forward  and  laid  his  hand  upon 
his  sword.  Then  remembering  his  resolution  he 
stopped. 


250  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

Murza-Khan  satisfied  himself  with  a  mocking 
laugh.  "  RuflBan ! "  he  said,  "  do  you  think  I  am  fool 
enough  to  fight  ?  But  Allah  grant  that  my  revenge 
come  some  time  !  " 

He  turned  on  his  heel  and  left  the  room  accom- 
panied by  one  of  the  guard. 

"  Now  for  the  other  one,"  said  the  commander. 

«  What  did  you  call  him  ?  " 

«  Totia  Nitscheladze." 

"  Very  good.  We  will  see  what  is  to  be  done  with 
this  gentleman." 

In  a  few  minutes  Totia  was  led  in. 

"  What  is  to  be  done  with  him  ?  "  exclaimed  Gen- 
eral Tasafioff  as  soon  as  he  saw  him.  "  I  claim  this 
prisoner  as  mine.  I  know  now  where  I  have  heard 
the  name.  That  is  the  rascal  who  had  the  honor  to 
serve  in  the  same  regiment  with  me  once,  and  whose 
long  fingers  emptied  the  safe  one  fine  night.  He  es- 
caped justice  by  flight,  but  his  sentence  is  still  in  force 
—ten  years  in  Siberia,  if  I  remember  rightly." 

"  Put  him  in  chains,"  commanded  the  chief  curtly. 

"Mercy!"  cried  Totia,  falling  on  his  knees.  "I 
will  restore  all.    I  am  rich  now ! " 

"  Did  you  hear  me,"  said  the  chief  to  the  guard. 
"  I  said,  put  him  in  chains."  And  he  turned  his  back 
on  the  groveling  wretch. 

"  Are  we  through  ?  "  he  asked.  "  It  appears  not. 
They  are  bringing  another  one." 

"That  is  not  a  prisoner,"  Djambek  hastened  to 
assure  them  as  Ahmed  approached.  "  I  owe  this  man 
more  than  my  life."  And  he  went  to  the  muezzin, 
and  took  his  hand.  "  This  brave  friend  saved  my 
bride  and  prevented  Murza-Khan's  escape.    He  is  a 


i,^    -■Vwjf- 


::;^'^ 


WAR  AND  PEACE.  251 

man  of  peace,  but  at  the  critical  moment  he  can  act 
the  real  hero." 

"  Do  not  speak  of  that,"  protested  Ahmed.  "  It 
was  not  right  and  I — " 

"  Not  right  to  prevent  a  murder  ?  " 

"You  did  well,"  interposed  the  commander-in- 
chief.  "  We  are  all  under  obligations  to  you  for  not 
letting  him  escape, — Remind  me,  Djambek,  that  this 
man  deserves  recognition  for  his  services." 

"  If  you  think  me  worthy  of  reward,  I  pray  that  it 
may  consist  in  restoring  me  to  my  office." 

"  And  what  is  your  office,  my  friend  ? " 

Djambek  smiled.  "  He  is  muezzin  at  a  mosque  in 
Batoum.  I  believe  it  must  bring  him  in  as  much  as 
one  hundred  piasters  *  a  month." 

"  Just  enough  to  keep  him  from  absolutely  starv- 
ing," remarked  the  general,  smiling.  "  Well,  put  me 
in  mind  of  it  at  a  favorable  opportunity.  If  we  get 
Batoum,  this  muezzin  shall  have  the  best  mosque  in 
the  city." 

They  mounted  their  horses  and  rode  back  to  the 
camp. 

A  few  days  later  Djambek  received  orders  to  occupy 
Murza-Khan's  castle  and  hold  it  until  the  military  op- 
erations in  Asia  Minor  should  be  ended. 

The  fall  and  a  large  part  of  the  winter  passed  be- 
fore the  longed-for  news  arrived  that  the  war  was  at 
an  end.  On  this  side  the  Black  Sea  both  Turks 
and  Russians,  worn  out  with  the  strife,  had  for  some 
time  ceased  from  active  operations  except  in  occasional 
unimportant  skirmishes,  but  on  the  European  side  the 

*  One  hundred  piasters  equals  four  dollars  and  forty  cents. 
11 


'^''^^?rv'''r^^''r>'r€7f'sfw^^rr"^  -tj^ 


252  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

contest  had  been  fiercely  prolonged,  and  it  had  required 
a  crashing  defeat  to  induce  the  Ottoman  leaders  to 
sue  for  peace. 

But  finally  peace  came,  and  D jambek  and  his  asso- 
ciates could  once  more  sheathe  their  swords  and  enjoy 
the  long  looked  for  rest  and  tranquillity. 


CHAPTER  XXL 

SELAM   ALEIKUM  ! 

For  many  months  now  tranquillity  had  again 
reigned  in  the  land.  The  conquered  nation  had  pur- 
chased peace  at  a  heavy  cost.  Thousands  upon  thou- 
sands rested  beneath  the  cool  earth — sons,  husbands, 
fathers — mourned  by  parents,  wives,  and  children.  But 
the  genius  of  war  has  no  thought  for  these ;  where  a 
land's  policy  speaks  the  heart  must  be  silent.  Nation- 
al hatred  permits  no  rival  in  natural  affection,  and  as 
for  the  lives  that  are  destroyed,  they  are  but  the  small 
coin  of  the  war  indemnity ;  the  larger  sums  are  the 
gold  and  the  square  miles  which  must  satisfy  stricken 
hearts. 

Nature  was  clothed  in  the  laughing  tints  of  spring ; 
everywhere  were  greenness,  bloom,  and  perfume.  Hills 
and  valleys  seemed  to  rejoice  aloud  in  the  warm  rays 
and  lavish  verdure.  New  life  sprang  up  everywhere 
— even  there  where  but  a  little  while  before  Death 
had  with  pitiless,  brutal  hand  sowed  desolation  like 
wheat. 

Djambek  sat  with  Thamar  on  the  veranda  of  the 
house  at  Kutayis  where  General  Tasafiofl  lived  with 
his  family.  In  the  joyousness  of  nature  that  surrounded 
them  they  had  no  thoughts  for  the  troubled  past,  and 


-^-y«i-  -'«^ 


254  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

only  looked  forward  to  a  happy  future.    In  a  few  days 
they  would  he  each  other's  forever. 

The  general  came  out  of  the  house  and  sat  down 
with  them.  "  There  is  one  thing  more  to  be  arranged, 
which  must  serve  as  my  excuse  for  intruding,"  he  said 
kindly. 

Thamar  smiled.  "  The  presence  of  so  good  a  friend 
can  never  be  an  intrusion,"  she  said. 

The  general  warmly  pressed  the  hand  she  gave  him, 
and  continued :  "  We  are  agreed  then,  D jambek,  are 
we,  to  go  to  Batoum  day  after  to-morrow  ?  " 

"Yes." 

"  I  will  accompany  you  to  your  estate  to  see  that 
the  official  papers  are  given  you  to  take  on  your  jour- 
ney to  St.  Petersburg — your  wedding  journey,  I  might 
say,  as  you  will  combine  business  with  pleasure.  It  is 
true,  it  might  all  be  arranged  by  correspondence,  but 
I  think  it  better  that  you  should  present  yourself  in 
person  to  your  new  sovereign  and  receive  your  estates 
back  again  from  his  hands.  I  learned  recently  that 
His  Majesty  intended,  as  a  reward  for  your  brave 
services,  to  confer  on  you  the  title  your  ancestors  bore 
when  they  were  still  Georgians.  But  tell  me  now,  how 
long  a  time  will  the  journey  to  your  place  require  ?  " 

"  We  can  go  and  return  to  Batoum  in  three  days." 

"  Then  my  wife  with  Thamar  will  meet  you  there 
on  Sunday." 

"  I  trust  so." 

"  Now  I  have  something  else  to  speak  about,"  con- 
tinued the  general,  turning  to  Thamar.  "  Your  cour- 
ageous young  friend  who  so  faithfully  nursed  the 
wounded  with  you,  and  came  so  near  falling  herself  a 
victim  to  fever,  needs  rest  and  recreation.    The  physi- 


■'?sw?»~^i»!*?'ACT?>'SBS55S 


SELAM  ALEIKUMI  255 

cian  assures  me  that  with  this  favorable  weather  she 
will  soon  recover  he^  strength,  but  do  you  not  think 
a  voyage  would  do  her  good,  and — " 

At  this  moment  Daria  appeared  at  the  door  leading 
from  the  house.  Thamar  sprang  up  and  went  to  her, 
and  putting  her  arm  affectionately  about  her  led  her 
to  the  divan.  The  once  rosy  cheeks  were  pale,  but  the 
eyes  sparkled  again  and  a  smile  hovered  about  the 
tender  lips  as  Thamar  embraced  her. 

"  We  were  just  speaking  of  you,  Daria,"  she  said. 
"  You  know  we  are  soon  going  to  take  a  trip  to  the 
north.    Won't  you  go  with  us  ?  " 

Daria  shook  her  head.  "  What  are  you  thinking 
of?"  she  said,  laughing.  "Do  you  think  a  bridal 
couple  needs  a  third  person  with  them  to  complete 
their  happiness?    Hardly,  my  dear." 

"  How  can  you  speak  so  ?  " 

"  Let  me  stay  here,  sister.  I  know  I  should  talk 
you  to  death ;  and  besides  that,  I  don't  like  to  leave 
this  warm  climate  for  the  icy  north.  I  would  like  to 
do  one  thing,  though,"  she  continued,  after  a  moment's 
pause.  "  Let  me  arrange  your  house  for  you  while  you 
are  away.  It  will  give  me  something  to  busy  myself 
with,  and  I  should  dearly  like  to  make  your  nest  all 
ready  for  you  when  you  return.    May  I  ?  " 

"  Certainly,  you  may.  You  could  give  me  no  greater 
pleasure." 

"  Good  I  That  is  all  ammged,  then,"  said  the  gen- 
eral. "  And  now  I  will  tell  you  a  secret.  But  you  must 
not  breathe  it  to  any  one.  It  is  said  that  I  am  to  re- 
ceive an  appointment  as  Governor  of  Batoum,  so  that 
we  shall  be  neighbors." 

"  That  will  indeed  be  a  pleasure  to  us ! "    cried 


256  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

Thamar  heartily,  while  Djambek  and  Daria  added 
their  expressions  of  pleasure  and  congratulation. 

"  Then  you  will  doubtless  have  the  citadel  for  your 
residence,  and  will  become  acquainted  with  the  historic 
chamber  where  Thamar  languished  in  captivity,"  said 
Djambek,  smiling. 

"  Oh,  Batoum  is  full  of  historical  reminiscences," 
added  Thamar.  "  The  prison,  for  example,  where  a 
dangerous  rebel  was  confined  until  he  escaped  with 
the  help  of  a  muezzin ! " 

"  I  presume  the  city  is  so  full  of  interesting  remi- 
niscences that  it  would  require  a  whole  quaiTy  to  fur- 
nish tablets  enough  to  record  the  noteworthy  events ! " 
said  the  general,  laughing. 

Kapanidze  now  joined  the  company,  and  they  ad- 
journed to  the  garden,  where  tea  was  served. 

"  She  still  bears  the  traces  of  her  fight  with  Death," 
whispered  the  young  man  to  Tasafioff.  "  She  is  a 
brave  girl ! " 

"Yes,  indeed.  She  showed  courage  equal  to  the 
bravest  soldier." 

"  Did  she  not !  When  one  saw  how  bravely  she 
met  danger,  how  tenderly  and  pityingly  she  nursed 
the  sick — one  felt  like  falling  on  his  knees  before  her ! " 

The  general  threw  a  sharp,  quizzical  glance  at  his 
enthusiastic  young  friend. 

"  Ah — ah  ! "  he  said,  "  that  is  the  direction  of  the 
wind,  is  it!  Well,  curb  your  impatience  until  the 
bridal  couple  return,  and  then  if  you  wish  to  try  your 
fortune  you  will  have  my  best  wishes." 

The  steamer  glided  swiftly  out  the  harbor.  The 
young  couple  stood  on  the  deck  and  waved  their  hand- 


SELAM  ALEIKUMI  257 

kerchiefs  in  farewell  to  their  friends  left  behind  until 
they  were  no  longer  in  sight. 

"4^et  us  go,"  said  General  Tasafioff,  giving  his  arm 
to  his  wife.  "  Our  ship  will  soon  weigh  anchor. — Fare- 
well, until  we  meet  again,  Ahmed,"  turning  to  the 
muezzin,  who  began  murmuring  words  of  thanks. 
"  Not  a  word.  What  we  have  done  for  you  was  but 
an  act  of  justice.  So,  good-by  for  the  present.  We 
shall  soon  be  neighbors." 

The  muezzin  walked  slowly  to  his  mosque.  He 
drew  the  key  from  his  pocket,  and,  unlocking  the  door, 
ascended  the  steps  leading  to  the  top  of  the  minaret. 
There,  his  first  look  was  for  the  steamer,  now  far  away 
in  the  distance.  The  red  disk  of  the  sun  had  half  dis- 
appeared behind  the  horizon.  A  mass  of  white  clouds 
had  formed  there  like  mountain  crags  and  cliffs,  and 
through  the  mass  the  half-sun  glowed  like  the  open 
door  of  a  gigantic  furnace,  through  which  there  seemed 
to  flow  a  mighty  stream  of  molten  fire  extending  across 
the  sea,  a  long  line  of  fiery  red,  glowing,  gleaming  on 
the  wide  expanse  of  water.  As  the  sun  dipped  lower 
the  glittering  path  stretched  farther  until  it  reached 
the  shore.  And  now  the  steamer  reached  the  gleaming 
way,  and,  becoming  every  instant  smaller  and  smaller 
to  the  view,  a  spot  of  darkness  on  a  field  of  light,  seemed 
to  glide  down  that  glowing  pathway  toward  the  fiery 
temple  of  the  sun,  and  suddenly  vanished,  as  if  within  it. 

The  muezzin  had  followed  it  with  his  earnest  look 
until  the  dazzling  rays  blinded  his  eyes.  Then  he 
stretched  out  his  hands  thither,  as  if  in  invocation  and 
benediction,  and  murmuring  "  Selam  dleihum!  "*  be- 


*  "Peace  be  unto  you 


t" 


258  DJAMBEK,  THE  GEORGIAN. 

gan  in  clear,  vibrating  tones,  though  with  something  of 
sadness  in  his  voice,  the  evening  call  to  prayer : 
"  Allah  ekber^  la  allahe  ullala 

Heijha  allel  fehl-lah. 

Bshed  de-enni  Mohammed-di  rasoul  iilla." 


THE    END. 


*.' 


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Jasper  and  his  brother,  Barbara,  Eve,  and  the  two  seniors,  are  wroo^t  ont  with 
artistic  and  painstaking  skill,  and  several  of  the  minor  personages  are  studied 
with  hardly  le  js  effect.  The  novel  is  strong,  bright,  and  eminently  readable.''— 
Eclectic  Magazine. 

3.  FOR  FIFTEEN  YEARS.     A  Sequel  to  '=The  Steel  Hammer."     By 

Louis  Ulbach. 

"  Though '  The  Steel  Hammer,'  the  story  to  which  '  For  Fifteen  Years '  is  the 
sequel,  was  a  fascinating  one,  it  was  a  comparatively  tame  prelude  to  one  of  the 
most  powerful  dinodmenifi  possible  to  conceive.  The  plots  and  counter-plots  are 
worked  out  with  a  power  and  devotion  which  are  startling  in  their  intensity." — 
Baltimore  American. 

4.  A  COUNSEL  OF  PERFECTION.     A  Novel.     By  Lucas  Malet,  au- 

thor of  "  Colonel  Enderby'a  Wife,"  "  Mrs.  Lorimer,"  etc. 

"It  would  require  as  to  go  back  to  Miss  Austen  to  find  anything  that  better 
deserved  the  praise  of  fine  form,  fine  groupine,  flue  coloring,  humorous  delinea- 
tion, and  precision  of  design."— Xondon  Speetator. 

6.  THE  DEEMSTER.    A  Itomance.    By  Hall  Cainb. 

"  The  spiritual  grandeur  of  its  conception  and  the  tremendous  nature  of  the 
forces  engaged  raise  it  to  the  region  of  tragic  drama.  .  .  .  Grandly  conceived  and 
grandly  executed." — London  Academy, 

6.  A  VIRGINIA  INHERITANCE.     By  Edmund  Pendleton,  author  of 

"  A  Conventional  Bohemian."    (In  cloth.    Price,  $1.00.) 

"...  It  has  an  interest  and  fivshness  of  its  own ;  in  parts  it  is  amusing;  in 
parts  witty ;  here  and  there  wise.  The  courtesy  of  the  Cheeters,  their  oddities, 
thek  reckless  acceptance  of  every  claim  of  exorbitant  hospitality,  their  indolent 
eareleasnees,  their  embodiment  of  tiie  'hospitable.  out-at-e1t)ow,  irrelevant, 
sympathetic  South,'  are  set  forth  in  a  maimer  which  baa  a  sort  fA  fiswctnatioD."— 
Tke  Saturday  Seview,  London. 


Appletons'  Town  and  Country  Libraiy. 

7.  NINETTE :  An  Idyll  of  Provence.    By  the  author  of  "  V6ra.»' 

"A  very  channlngProTencal  idyll.  Tbe  aattaor  of  'Y^n*  moBt  be  reckoned 
Among  the  Tcry  few  ibglisb  writen  who  are  capable  of  reprodacing  the  atmos- 
I^iere  of  Continental  life."— 7^  AtAmcntm. 

8.  "THE  RIGHT  HONOURABLE."    A  Romance  of  Society  and  PoH- 

tics.    By  JcsTiN  McGabtht  and  Mrs.  Campbell-Praed. 

"  The  moral  ia  soand.  It  is  one  of  duty  victorioasly  acbieTed  thoogfa  at  great 
cost;  and  perhaps  verisimilitade  Is  not  strained  by  the  idealization  which  im- 
putes to  the  woman's  snperior  strength  of  renunciation  a^  monl  stamina  the 
Buceetsltal  passage  through  the  last  and  most  fiery  triaL  iDcidentally  there  is 
much  bright  description  of  fashionable  life  and  people."— i\r«io  York  TrUune. 

9.  THE  SILENCE  OF  DEAN  MAITLAND.    By  Maxwell  Gket. 

*"rhe  Ktotj  cnhninatee  in  a  scene  which  is  almost  unequaled  and  unexampled 
in  fiction.  ...  As  a  tale  of  spiritual  struggle,  as  a  marvelonsly  graphic  and  vital 
picture  of  the  action  and  reaction  of  human  life, '  The  Silence  of  I>^n  MaiUand  * 
IS  a  book  that  is  destined  to  an  extraordinary  recognition  and  permanent  fkme  in 
llteratare."— Sewton  Traveller. 

10.  MRS.  LORIMER:  A  Study  in  Black  and  White.     By  Lucas  Malet, 

author  of  "Colonel  Enderby's  Wife,"  "A  Counael  of  Perfection." 

•"Mrs.  Lorimer'  is  not  onlv  brimfal  of  cleverness,  proftase  and  careless 
cleverness,  as  of  one  rich  In  intelligence,  and  of  genuine,  softly  reflecttre  burner, 
such  as  critics  love :  but  of  power  of  a  kind  so  separate  that  it  is  hard  to  eharac- 
terize  without  quoting  in  jnstiflcatlon  tbe  whole  book.  It  Is  as  a  story  of  rare 
prominence,  alike  of  humor  and  of  pathos,  that  we  recommend '  Mrs.  Lorimer.* " 
—London  Spectator. 

11.  THE  ELECT  LADY.     By  Oeobge  MacDonald,  author  of  "Home 

Again,"  etc. 

"  Bich  in  imaginative  beauty  and  fine  insight  into  the  mysteries  of  spiritual 
me."— London  Spectator. 

"There  are  some  good  bits  of  dialogue  and  strong  situations  in  tbe  book."— 
me  Ai/unaiMm. 

12.  THE   MYSTERY  OF  THE   "OCEAN  STAB."     A  CoUectaon  of 

Maritime  Sketches.     By  W.  Clabk  Bussnx,  author  of  "The 

Wreck  of  the  '  GrosTenor,' "  etc 

"  Mr.  Clark  Bussell  occupies  a  peculiarly  bappy  position  in  literature.  He  ia 
absolutely  without  competitors.  Opinions  may  differ  as  to  the  best  writer  in 
almost  any  other  line  of  work,  but  there  is  only  one  fiibulist  of  the  sea,  and,  in 
one  reopect,  Clark  Russell  Is  a  better  story-tellier  tlian  any  of  his  coUeagnea  ia 
other  branches  of  fiction."— iSem  Francisco  Examiner. 

18.  ARISTOCRACY.    A  NoveL     (In  cloth-    Price,  $1.00.) 

"A  very  clever  and  amusing  piece  of  novel-writing  is  'Aristocracy,*  by  an 
unknown  autlior,  who  seems  to  have  a  sufficient  knowledge  of  the  manneraaad 
tone  of  good  society  in  England  to  satirize  them  unmerciftaDy,  while  adhering  ii| 
a  eonalderable  d^^ree  to  the  truth.  ...  He  also  knows  bow  to  write  an  Interetl- 
laS  atory,  and  hu  book  has  not  a  dull  page  in  iV—Tke  Am,  New  York. 


Appletons*  Town  and  Country  Library. 

14.  A    RECOILING  VENGEANCE.      By  Frank  Barrett,  author  of 

"  His  Helpmate,"  "  The  Great  Hesper."    With  Illustrations. 

"  A  very  pretty,  natural,  and  reflresbing  story  Is  *  A  Becoiling  Vengeance.'  .  .  . 
Pt  iB  a  story  told  in  the  first  person  of  a  strnggle  for  t4ie  inbentance  of  a  wealthy 
lawyer  In  a  country  town,  and  in  its  clearness  and  brightness  reminds  ns  not  a 
little  of  the  manner  of  Anthony  Trollope."— Zon<fon  Saturday  Beviete. 

15.  THE  SECRET  OF  FONTAINE-LA-CROIX.     A  Novel.     Bj  Mar- 

garet Field. 

The  heroine  of  this  story  is  an  EnpUsbwoman,  bat  the  events  orcnr  principally 
in  France.  In  the  main  the  story  i»  domestic  in  character,  affording  some  charm- 
ing pictures  of  life  in  a  French  cbSteaa.  but  scenes  in  the  Franco-German  War 
are  also  depicted,  and  the  action  leads  up  to  a  striking  and  most  dramatic 
situation. 

"An  interesting  story  well  toU.''^— Christian  Union. 

•'  Altogether  a  deligbifol  etoTy."— Philadelphia  Bulletin. 

'  16.  THE  MASTER  OF  RATHKELLY.     A  Novel.     By  Hawlev  Smart, 

author  of  "  A  False  Start,"  "  Breezie  Langton,"  etc. 

"  The  Master  of  Batfakelly "  is  an  Irish  landlord,  and  the  incidents  of  the 
story  illustrate  the  nature  of  the  present  conflict  in  Ireland  in  a  striking  manner. 

17.  DONOVAN :  A  Modem  Englishman.     A  Novel.     By  Edna  Ltall. 

New  cheap  edition.    (In  cloth.    Price,  $1.50.) 

A  cheap  edition  of  "  Donovan  "  has  long  been  called  for  by  those  who  have 
recognized  its  merits,  and  wished  to  see  its  influence  extended.  It  falls  within 
the  range  of  thought  stimulated  by  "  Kobert  Elsmere,"  and  books  of  its  class. 

18.  THIS  MORTAL  COIL.    A  Novel.    By  Grant  Allen. 

'*  Mr.  Grant  Allen's  is  a  good  story,  a  little  burdened  with  the  constant  effort 
for  a  sparkUn?  narrative,  but  fairly  true  to  life,  and  speaks  throagh  its  charac- 
ters."—TA*  Athenoetdm, 

19.  A  FAIR  EMIGRANT.    By  Rosa  Mulholland,  author  of  "  Marcella 

Grace,"  etc. 

"  The  '  6iir  emigrant'  is  a  young  lady  who  returns  to  her  father's  country  for 
the  purpose  of  trying  to  clear  his  name  fh>m  the  disirrace  of  a  crime  with  wnich 
be  was  felsely  charged.  ...  A  very  interesting  narrative."— JAe  Spectator. 

"  A  caj^ital  noYeV—Seottman. 

20.  THE  APOSTATE.    A  Novel.    By  Ernest  Dattdkt. 

"  The  Apostate  "  is  a  novel  of  mnch  more  than  ordinary  power,  and  in  a  field 
somewhat  new.  In  morals  it  is  unobjectionable,  and  in  style  noble  and  impress' 
ive.    The  translation  has  been  carefully  done. 


D.  APPLETON  &  CO.,  PtjBusHESs,  1, 8,  &  5  Bond  Stbext,  New  York. 


1  ■  ■   :-: 

Appletons^  Town  and  Country  LIbrtuy. 

21.  RALEIGH   WESTOATE;    or,  Epimenides  in  Maine.      By  Hbleh 

Ebndbicc  Johksom. 

The  time  of  this  story  is  Jast  before  and  darinj;  tb«  rebellion,  bat  the  reader 
i»  carried  back  to  eome  carloas  optsodea  in  tbe  early  history  of  Maine,  the  tradi- 
tions  of  which  supply  part  of  the  material  for  the  plot. 

"Oat  of  the  common  run  of  fiction."— 5o»to»  Beacon. 

"  Ad  atmosphere  of  qnaint  humor  perrades  the  hoo'k."—CArttUan  Inquirer. 

22.  ARIUS  THE  LIBYAN :  A  Romance  of  the  PrimitiTe  Church.    A 

new  cheap  edition.    (Also  in  cloth.    Price,  $1.25.) 

"  Portrays  the  life  and  character  of  the  primltire  Christians  with  great  force 
and  Tividness  of  ima$:ination."— £rarp«r'<  Mag<ain$. 

"  Beside  this  work  most  of  the  so-called  religiou  novels  fiide  into  insignifi- 
cance. "—/S^'na^eW  RepubHecM, 

23.  CONSTANCE,  AND  CALBOT'S  RIVAL.    By  Julian  Hawthorsk. 

"  The  reader  will  find  a  fitocinatinr  interest  in  these  stranfi^e  and  cleverly  told 
stories  which  are  as  ingenious  in  conception  as  they  are  brilliant  in  develop- 
ment."—Awton  Gazette. 

24.  WE  TWO.    By  Edna  Ltall,  author  of  "Donovan."    New  cheap 

edition.    (Also  in  cloth.     Price,  $1.50.) 

"We  recommend  all  novel  readers  to  treat  this  novel  with  the  care  which 
sach  a  strong,  ancommon,  and  thonghtfal  book  demands  and  deserves." — Londcn 
Spectator. 

26.  A  DREAMER  OF  DREAMS.     A  Modem  Romance.     By  the  author 

of  "  Thoth." 

"  or  an  original  and  artistic  type  .  .  .  near  to  being  a  tremendons  feat  of 
fancy."— AtAencBum. 

"  Resembles  its  predecessor  ( "  Thoth  " )  in  the  weirdnese  of  tbe  plot  and  the 
incisive  brilliance  of  style."— iondon  Literary  World. 

26,  THE  LADIES'  GALLERY.     A  Novel     By  Justik  McCabtht  and 

Mrs.  Camfbell-Praed. 

"  It  is  interesting  and  racy,  and  abounds  in  clever  sketches  of  character  and 
in  good  situatione.  Both  authors  are,  so  to  speak,  on  their  native  heath.  .  .  . 
Altogether,  the  book  abounds  in  amusement." — London  Ouardiim, 

"  An  absorbing,  powerful,  and  artistic  work.*' — London  Poet. 

21.  TEE  REPROACH  OF  ANNESLEY.    By  Maxwell  Grey,  author 

of  "  The  Silence  of  Dean  Maitland." 

"  The  Reproach  of  Annesley "  will  be  welcomed  by  every  reader  of  "  The 
Silence  of  Dean  Maitland,"  a  novel  that  has  been  pronounced  by  both  English 
and  American  critics  a  work  poBseasing  striking  power  and  originality. 

28.  NEAR  TO  HAPPINESS.    A  Novel.    Translated  from  the  French 

by  Frank  H.  Potter. 

"The  plot  is  strong  and  clearly  construcled.  and  the  characters  are  sketched 
with  marked  force  and  arristlc  skill.  The  era  of  tlie  incidents  is  tliat  of  the 
Franco-German  War,  find  the  point  about  which  they  revolve  is  a  tender  love- 
story  to  which  a  deep  dramatic  interest  is  imparted." — Bodon  OateUe. 


•■;faB?»?W  ^■'i^^iirr'^^ffwn':^i^^^rr '^s^'^^'H^^uFT^'^^ -~y>-    '      "    ^•'^ijy<^-a~ - 


Appletons^  Town  and  Country  Library. 

29.  IN  THE  WIRE-GRASS.    By  Louis  Pikdleton. 

"  An  nnasnally  derer  novel  Is  '  In  the  Wire-Oniss,'  by  Lonis  Pendleton 
(Appletona).  It  prefwnts  a  Tivid  pictare  of  Sonthern  life  by  a  native  of  the  Sonth, 
and  abcmnds  in  incidents  and  characters  racy  of  tbe  soil.  .  .  .  The  bnmor  lb 
everywhere  bright  and  genuine,  and  the  action  onifoimly  hrisk."— The  Bun. 

30.  LACE.    A  Berlin  Romance.    By  Paul  Lindau. 

" '  Lace,'  Lindan's  novel,  of  which  the  Appletons  have  jnst  published  a  thor. 
ouehly  i;ood  translation,  gets  its  name  from  tbe  faterul  rSle  held  iu  it  by  a  mar- 
veums  mantle  of  Brabant  lacei  This  mantle  wanders  through  the  mazes  of  this 
story  like  a  specter  that  will  not  down,  and,  rarely  beautiful  as  it  is,  grows  in 
the  end  into  a  veritable  robe  of  Nessus.  .  .  .  Altogether, '  Lace '  is  one  of  the 
most  effective  pieces  of  work  that  we  have  seen  for  a  long  time."— Commercial 
Advertiser. 

81.  AMERICAN  COIN.     By  the  author  of  "Aristocracy." 

A  satirical  pictare  of  impecunious  English  peers  in  search  of  fortunes,  and 
of  the  daughters  of  American  millionaires  in  search  of  titles. 

"  'American  Coin'  is  a  remarkably  clever  and  readable  story."— JT.  T.  Berald. 

82.  WON  BYJWTAITING.     By  Edna  Ltall. 

"  The  sentiment  of  the  story  i«  delicate  and  uplifting,  and  the  style  is  uncom- 
monly spirited  and  kctire,"— Boston  Gasette, 

33.  THE  STORY  OP  HELEN  DAVENANT.    By  Violet  Fane. 

"Neither  Miss  Braddon  nor  the  author  of  'The  House  on  the  Marsh'  could 
have  contrived  a  more  ingenious  story  than  that  of  'Helen  Davenant.'" — 77ie 
Academy. 

84.  THE    LIGHT    OF   HER   COUNTENANCE.     By  H.  H.  Botesen, 

author  of  "Gunnar,"  "Idyls  of  Norway,"  "A  Daughter  of  the 

Philistmes,"  et& 

The  scenes  of  this  story  open  in  New  York,  but  the  action  soon  shifts  to  Italy. 
The  characters  are  mainly  American  and  English.  Tbe  incidents  are  picturesque, 
and  the  movement  animated. 

86.  MISTRESS   BEATRICE   COPE;    or,  Passages  in  the  life  of  a 

Jacobite's  Daughter.     By  M.  E.  Le  Clerc. 

*'  A  simple,  natural,  credible  romance,  charged  with  the  color  of  the  time  and 
satisfying  to  the  mind  of  a  thoughtful  reader."— T'Ad  Afhenanun. 

36.  KNIGHT-ERRANT.     By  Edna  Ltall. 

"'Kni^t-Enant'  is  marked  by  the  author's  best  qualities  as  a  writer  of 
fiction,  aiS  displays  on  every  page  the  grace  and  quiet  power  of  her  former 
works."— 2%«  Athenoewn. 

87.  IN  THE  GOLDEN  DAYS.    By  Edna  Ltall. 

"The  central  figure <tf  her  story  is  Algernon  Sidney,  and  this  figure  she  in* 
rest!  with  singular  dignity  and  power.  Some  of  the  scenes  are  remaitebly 
vivid.  The  escape  is  an  admirable  narrative,  which  almost  makes  one  hold  one's 
breath  to  read."— 7A«  apeeUOor. 


1     -  -  ' 
JLppletons'  Town,  and  Country  Library. 

88.  GIRALDI;  or,  The  Curse  of  Love.    By  Ross  Gkoroi  Debing. 

"  'Oirtldi^  la  andeniably  a  clever  book;  Mtirlcal,  hnmorons,  and  amaBtne; 
fbll  of  consistent  sketching  ol  character;  ...  an  original  and  readable  noveD* 
— 7Vi«  Saturday  Bevitto. 

89.  A  HARDY  NORSEMAN.     By  Edna  Lyall. 

"All  the  quiet  power  we  praised  in  'Donovan'  is  to  be  found  in  this  new 
story." — The  Athenttum. 

40.  THE  ROMANCE  OF  JENNY  HARLOWE,  and  Sketches  of  Mari- 
time Life.    By  W.  Clark  Russell. 

"  'The  Romance  of  Jenny  Harlowe,'  snppleroented  by  other  sketches  of  sea 
life,  offer  capital  reading.  The  story  is  exciting  enongh  to  satisfy  the  most 
exacting  on  this  score."— 77k«  ^ctu^emy. 


41.  PASSION'S  SLAVE.     By  Richard  Ashe-Kinq 

"  Mr.  King  is  a  retined  an 
reproach."— TAc  Athenaum. 


"  Mr.  King  is  a  retined  and  bleasant  writer.  .  .  .  His  tact  is  generally  beyond 

"— TA     "" 


42.  THE  AWAKENING  OF  MARY  FEN  WICK.    By  Beatrice  Whitbt. 

"We  have  no  hesitation  in  declarini:  that '  The  Awakening  of  Mary  Fenwick ' 
is  the  best  novel  of  the  kind  tliat  we  have  seen  for  some  years.  It  is  apparently 
a  first  effort,  and  as  such  is  remarkable."— 7'A«  Aihenanan. 

43.  COUNTESS  LORELEY.    From  the  German  of  Rcdolf  Mekgeb. 

"  An  exciting  novel,  the  scene  of  which  is  laid  principally  in  Gkrmany  Jnst 
before  and  after  the  Franco- Prassian  War.  The  cturacters,  which  embrace  be- 
sides the  two  principal  ones  a  Breton  dnelist,  a  lion-bearted  Eogllshman,  a 
Bnseian  diplomat,  and  others,  are  presented  in  a  spirited  manner."— AMton 
OazttU. 

44.  BLIND  LOVE.     By  Wilde  Collins.    With  a  Preface  by  Walter 

Besant. 

This  posthumous  novel  was  unfinished  at  the  time  of  Mr.  CoDlns's  death, 
although  in  course  of  serial  publication.  By  means  of  the  ample  notes  left  by 
the  author,  Mr  Besaut  was  enabled  to  complete  it  along  the  lines  laid  down  by 
the  author.  "The  plot  of  the  novel,"  says  Mr.  Besant.  " every  scene,  every 
situation,  from  beginning  to  end,  is  the  work  of  Willde  Collins." 

45.  THE  DEAN'S  DAUGHTER.     By  Sophie  F.  F.  Veitch. 

"  The  passages  in  it  which  deal  with  the  morally  distorted  and  troeic  passion 
of  Vera  Dormer  recall  to  tome  extent  the  vanished  band  of  the  author  of  'Jane 
Effp:  "—The  Academy. 


"^^Sr-tOUNTESS  IRENE.    A  Romance  of  Austrian  Life.    By  J.  Fogebtt. 

"This  is  a  charming  story,  interesting  and  mouvemente,  with  some  biddy 
dramatic  incidents.  .  .  .  The  picture?  of  Viennese  life  and  manners  are  admira- 
ble, and  the  descriptions  of  Austrian  country-house  life  amid  the  magnificent 
scenery  of  the  Salzkammergut  are  most  attractive."—  WeHminrier  Beview. 


12mo,  paper  cover.    Price,  BO  cents  each. 
New  York:  D.  APPLETON  &  CO.,  Publishers,  1,  8,  &  5  Bond  Street 


F 


-^^^>-^  j^v*    -    nvT-^T  j^T'-'     >-!*-- ^.-s*-^-^'™  ^-iJ'S*^'*—-  «■     ^        "  -  ^■'-  ■ '■■  -r--»^»sr...-^. ■■-■■-  ■---.  -      :■      ■  ^■'^'?7^«*1g«^ 


D.  APPLETON  &  CO.'S  PUBLICATIONS. 

ROM  FLAG  TO  FLAG.  A  Woman's  Adventures 
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in  Cuba.    By  Eliza  McHatton-Ripley.    l2mo.    Cloth,  $i.oo. 


The  audior  of  this  book  was  the  wife  of  a  planter  in  Louisiana,  and  underwent  some 
renuukable  experiences  in  the  first  part  of  the  war;  later  in  Mexico,  many  vicissitudes 
befell  her;  and  of  her  life  in  Cuba,  still  later,  she  has  a  striking  and  unusual  story  to  tell. 

"  In  a  word,  the  book  b  an  account  of  personal  adventures  which  would  be  called 
extraordinary  did  not  one  remember  that  the  civil  war  must  have  brought  similar  ones 
to  many.  Her  hardships  are  endured  with  the  rarest  pluck  and  good  humor,  and 
her  shifty  way  of  meeting  difficulties  seems  almost  to  point  to  a  Yankee  strain  in  her 
blood."— rA^  Nation. 

rnJIE  HISTORY  OF  A   SLAVE.     By  H.  H.  John- 
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full-page   Illustrations,  engraved  fac-simile  from  the  author's 
Drawings.     Large  i2mo.     Paper  cover,  50  cents. 

"  '  The  History  of  a  Slave '  b  a  work  of  fiction  based  upon  every-day  occurrences 
in  the  Dark  Continent,  and  well  calculated  to  Ining  home  to  the  reader  the  social 
condition  of  heathen  and  Mohammedan  Africa,  and  the  horrors  of  a  domestic  slave- 
trade."— 7**  ./4/A*«<rw»«. 


T 


'HE  MEMOIRS  OF  AN  ARABIAN  PRIN- 
CESS. By  Emily  Ruete,  nde  Princess  of  Oman  and  Zanzibar. 
Translated  from  the  German.     i2mo.    Cloth,  75  cents. 

The  author  of  thb  amusing  autobiography  is  half-sbter  to  the  late  Sultan  of  Zanzi- 
bar, who  some  years  ago  married  a  German  merchant  and  setded  at  Hamburg. 

"A  remarkably  interesting  Ktde  volume.  ...  As  a  picture  of  Oriental  court  life, 
and  manners  and  customs  in  the  Orient,  by  one  who  b  to  the  manor  bom,  the  book  b 
prolific  in  entertainment  and  edification." — Boston  Gazette. 

^KETCHES  FROM  MY  LIFE.     By  the  late  Admiral 
»J      HoBART  Pasha.    With  a  Portrait.     i2mo.     Paper,  50  cents ; 
doth,  $1.00. 

"  The  sailor  b  nearly  always  an  adventurous  and  enterprbing  variety  of  the  human 
species,  and  Hobart  Pasha  was  about  as  fine  an  example  as  one  could  wish  to  see.  .  .  . 
The  sketches  of  South  American  life  are  full  of  interest  The  sport,  the  inevitable 
entan^ements  of  susceptiUe  middies  with  beautiful  Spanbh  giris  and  the  sometimes 
disastrous  consequences,  die  duds,  attempts  at  assassination,  and  other  adventures  and 
amusements,  are  described  with  much  spirit  .  .  .  The  sketches  abound  in  interesting 
details  of  the  American  war." — London  AthentKum. 


New  York :  D.  APPLETON  &  CO.,  i,  3,  &  5  Bond  Street 


r--^^-' •;: ,  '    ■-•  T  >  '  ■r:':i-:Jf'f-r:^''r!p^~'r^^'s^,:y!^'^^^ 


D.  APPLETON  &  CO.'S  PUBLICATIONS. 

T^ECOLLECTIONS  OF  THE  COURT  OF  THE 
"^V     TUILERIES.    By  Madame  Carette,  Lady^f-Honor  to  the 
Empress  Eugenie.    Translated  from  the  French  by  Euzabeth 
Phipps  Train.     x2mo.    Cloth,  $i.oo;  paper  cover,  50  cents. 

The  inside  view  which  these  Recollections  give  of  the  Court  of  Louis 
Napoleon  is  fresh  and  of  great  interest. 

"  We  advise  every  one  who  admires  good  work  to  buy  and  read  it." — London 
Morning  Poat. 

JiJEMOIRS    OF    MADAME    DE    REM U SAT. 

lyj-      1802-1808.     Edited  by  her  Grandson,  Paul  de  Remusat, 

Senator.    3  volumes,  crown  8vo.     Half  bound,  $2.25. 

"  Notwithstanding  the  enormous  library  of  works  relating  to  Napoleon,  we  know 
of  none  which  cover  precisely  the  ground  of  these  Memoirs.  Madame  de  Remusat 
was  not  ofily  lady-in-waiting  to  Josephine  during  the  eventful  years  1803-1808,  but 
was  her  intimate  friend  and  trusted  confidante.  Thus  we  get  a  view  of  the  daily  life 
of  Bonaparte  and  his  wife,  and  the  terms  on  which  they  lived,  not  elsewhere  to  be 
found."— iV.  T.  Man. 

"  These  Memoirs  are  not  only  a  repository  of  anecdotes  and  of  portraits  sketched 
from  life  by  a  keen-eyed,  quick-witted  woman ;  some  of  the  author's  reflections  on  social 
and  political  questions  are  remarkable  for  weight  and  penetration." — New  York  Sun. 


A 


SELECTION  FROM  THE  LETTERS  OF 
MADAME  DE  REMUSAT.  1804-1814.  Edited  by  her 
Grandson,  Paul  de  Remusat,  Senator.    l2mo.    Cloth,  $1.25. 


JlyfEMOIRS  OF  NAPOLEON,  his  Court  and  Family. 
IVA     By  the  Duchess  d'Abrantes.     In  2  volumes,  i2mo.    Cloth, 
$3.00. 

The  interest  exdted  in  the  first  Napoleon  and  his  Court  by  the  '•  Memoirs 
of  Madame  de  R6musat "  has  induced  the  publishers  to  issue  the  famous 
"Memoirs  of  the  Duchess  d'Abrantes,"  which  have  hitherto  appeared  in  a 
costly  octavo  edition,  in  a  much  cheaper  form,  and  in  a  style  to  correspond 
with  De  Remusat.  This  work  will  be  likely  now  to  be  read  with  awakened 
interest,  especially  as  it  presents  a  much  more  favorable  portrait  of  the  great 
Corsican  than  that  limned  by  Madame  de  R6musat,  and  supplies  many  valu- 
able and  interesting  details  respecting  the  Court  and  Family  of  Napoleon, 
which  are  found  in  no  other  work. 


New  York:  D.  APPLETON  &  CO.,  1,  3,  &  5  Bond  Street. 


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